KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Sarawak Government is taking firm steps to safeguard food security by identifying and gazetting suitable land, specifically for paddy cultivation.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said unlike oil palm, which already has a complete value and supply chain, the paddy industry lacks such comprehensive support.
He said the government must intervene as paddy cultivation requires a fully developed infrastructure which is costly and beyond the reach of small-scale farmers.
“At the moment, we are focusing on state-owned land. In Limbang and Lawas, nearly 1,000 hectares have already been gazetted for paddy.
“If the land is gazetted for paddy, it must be used only for that purpose. We’re not forcing people to plant rice, but this is part of our strategy to achieve food security.
“Paddy requires complete infrastructure which involves high costs, making it difficult for smallholders. So the government has to step in,” he said.
He told the media this at a press conference after officiating the Agriculture Mini Expo 2025 at Sarawak State Farmers Organisation (PPNS) Complex here today.
Dr Rundi added that discussions with the Premier are ongoing to expand the gazettement initiative, with long-term plans to engage Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners for participation through cooperatives.
He said the state government would work closely with Area Farmers Organisations (PPK) and the PPNS to support farmers in organising and marketing their harvests.
“For self-sustaining purposes, small plots are fine. But for commercial-scale rice production, farmers must come together under cooperatives or PPK.
“If done individually, the cost and infrastructure needs are too high. That’s why grouping farmers is the way forward,” he said.
“PPNS will play a big role in this, to support the farmers from planting to market access,” he said.
Dr Rundi also stressed the need to avoid overplanting and overuse of fertilisers, citing environmental and food safety concerns.
He warned that multiple planting cycles per year without proper land management could degrade the soil and affect crop safety.
“Technology must be part of this process, not only to protect soil health but to ensure our food is safe to eat.
“If you plant paddy continuously, the soil will deteriorate. That’s why it must be alternated with other crops like vegetables after a few seasons to allow the land to recover,” he added.
