KUCHING: Sarawak is reinforcing its state food security by gazetting land specifically dedicated to paddy cultivation to prevent these areas from being converted for other crops, thereby ensuring a continuous increase in local rice production capacity.

Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this measure has already been implemented in several areas in Limbang and Lawas, with more potential land slated to be gazetted to guarantee the sustainable development of the state’s paddy industry.

“That is why we are taking serious steps, to the extent that the government is enacting ordinances or laws to gazette land dedicated solely for paddy cultivation, ensuring no other crops are permitted in those areas,” he said.

He said this during a press conference after witnessing the signing ceremony of the Sublease Memorandum between LCDA Agri Business and Onemas Agriculture here on Tuesday.

For the record, Sarawak targets an annual production of approximately 450,000 metric tonnes of rice based on current estimated demand to meet consumer needs across the state.

In a related development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi noted that efforts to boost paddy production must also be supported by the development of downstream industries to add value to local agricultural output.

Among the potential avenues to explore are the production of rice vermicelli (mihun), biscuits, cakes, and various rice-based products capable of broadening economic opportunities within the paddy industry value chain. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Jonnie Kiew
Photos: Zulfadli
Translator: Ryan Lim