MIRI: Sarawak marked another historic achievement in the agricultural sector when it emerged as the first state in Malaysia to successfully produce perennial rice, thus opening a new chapter in efforts to increase local rice production and strengthen food security.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the success was the result of over two decades of research through strategic collaboration with Yunnan University, China.

According to him, perennial rice technology has the potential to transform the paddy growing sector in Sarawak as it is capable of taking advantage of areas of peat land that were previously less suitable for agriculture, besides being able to be expanded to other areas with agricultural potential.

"Sarawak is the first state to produce perennial rice in Malaysia. We are leading the agricultural sector and prove that it can be transformed through technology,” he said.

He said this when completing the Harvesting Ceremony of the Perennial Variety Paddy Planting Project in Kuala Baram, here on Thursday.

To ensure that the technology continues to be developed, he proposed the establishment of a research centre involving the collaboration of the Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), Ministry for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development and Yunnan University to accelerate the development and commercialisation of the technology.

According to him, Sarawak is currently only able to produce around 20 to 21 per cent of the state's rice needs, while the rest is still dependent on imports.

Therefore, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari explained that the expansion of perennial variety paddy cultivation can increase the self-sufficiency level of the state, and could potentially position Sarawak as a future rice exporter.

"If this technology can be expanded, we will not only be able to meet domestic rice needs, but the excess production can be exported. Maybe one day Sarawak will be like Thailand that exports rice to this region," he said.

Accordingly, he shared that the Sarawak Government will channel allocations through relevant ministries and LCDA to strengthen research and expand the use of perennial variety paddy technology to potential areas including Daro, Jemoreng and several coastal regions.

Earlier, the Sarawak Premier also inspected the perennial variety rice planting area and heard a briefing on the development of the project presented by Borneoland Paddy Sdn. Bhd. before officiating the harvest ceremony.

Also present were Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, Vice President of Yunnan University Professor Duan Xingwu, LCDA General Manager and LCDA Holdings Sdn. Bhd. Chief Executive Officer Datu Sr Zaidi Mahdi, Executive Chairman of Borneoland Paddy Sdn. Bhd. Dato Hii King Chiong, Miri Division Resident Galong Luang and Borneoland Paddy Sdn. Bhd. Managing Director Hii ​​Wei Wen. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Leya Ameera Annuar Rigos
Photo: Muhammad Rais Sanusi
Translator: Nerissa Sia