TEBEDU: Efforts to strengthen the paddy and rice industry in Sarawak require careful planning, group collaboration and a new approach that is sustainable and technology-based.

Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that the facilities developed should not be misused for other crops to the detriment of the goal of increasing paddy production.

"If we have prepared the infrastructure with a large allocation, then it should not be used to plant other crops such as oil palm. We want to maintain the production of basic food, especially paddy and rice," he said during a work visit and the inauguration of a paddy harvesting machine at the Payang Tubih Swamp Scheme here on Monday. 

He also informed that the government has provided a large allocation of up to RM1 billion for the development of agricultural infrastructure in the state.

He added that the agro-food sector currently contributes about 10 percent to Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at around RM15 billion, but the contribution is showing a declining trend.

“Imagine if there is a geopolitical crisis or climate change that affects food supply. We do not want to be completely dependent on imports and have to return to other basic foods,” he said.

He explained that the large area of ​​land in Sarawak is not necessarily suitable for rice cultivation due to soil type and conditions, especially peat soil which requires special treatment such as the formation of a ‘hardpan’ layer which can take four to five years.

In this regard, he proposed a group or cluster approach among rice farmers to ensure that infrastructure development can be implemented in an organized and effective manner.

"For example, the 93-hectare area in the Payang Tubih Swamp Scheme is seen as sufficient to be developed in phases with the support of agricultural inputs, machinery and technical guidance from relevant departments.

“We cannot move in ‘silos’. "Farmers need to be combined into one group so that facilities and infrastructure can be coordinated," he explained.

At the same time, he stressed the need to attract young people through the use of modern technology such as mechanization, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart agriculture and the development of agroparks.

He said this approach could make the agricultural sector more modern, efficient and competitive.

Elaborating further, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi also revealed that the government is also looking into methods such as land leasing or land repossession with the consent of the owner for large-scale development purposes, subject to a fair agreement between the landowner and the investor.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development of Sarawak Datuk Martin Ben, Tebedu Assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Bukit Semuja Assemblyman John Ilus, Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, Serian Division Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph, Sarawak Agriculture Director Dominic Chuggat and Tebedu District Officer Gerard George Entigar. -UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim