KUCHING: Sarawak is ramping up efforts to strengthen food security as climate pressures, geopolitical tensions and rising costs threaten supply stability and push up prices.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the state must prioritise increasing its self-sufficiency level (SSL), particularly for staple foods such as rice and livestock, to reduce dependence on imports.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the M-FICORD Appreciation Night at Hotel 56 on Sunday, he warned that external factors such as climate change, geopolitical tensions and conflicts could significantly impact food availability.
“If we have money but no food to buy, that is a big problem, so we must strengthen our own production,” he said.
He revealed that Sarawak currently produces only about 21 per cent of its paddy requirements, and aims to raise this to at least 60 per cent by 2030.
Rundi said efforts are underway to expand agricultural capacity, including exploring cross-border opportunities in Kalimantan where large tracts of land are available.
At the same time, he highlighted the challenge of an ageing farming population, noting that fewer young people are interested in agriculture.
To address this, he said the government is promoting modern farming approaches such as agroparks, precision farming, Internet of Things (IoT) integration and mechanisation to make the sector more attractive and sustainable.
“Farming today must be treated as a business, not business as usual, because it involves returns, costs, profit and sustainability,” he added.
Rundi acknowledged that developing infrastructure for large-scale paddy cultivation requires significant investment and time, but stressed that it remains crucial for long-term food security.
Meanwhile, he also pointed out that rising fuel and logistics costs due to global conflicts are contributing to inflation, which will eventually affect consumers across both urban and rural areas.
Despite the challenges, he said Sarawak is working towards becoming a net food exporter by 2030 through improved productivity and strategic planning.
“We need to make sure food remains sufficient while keeping production costs under control,” he said.
