Sarawak aspires to become Malaysia’s top producer of rice
Published on: June 29, 2024.
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Rice production in Malaysia is set to receive a boost as Sarawak aims to become the nation’s top rice producer, rivaling Kedah. Sarawak’s Premier, Abang Johari Openg, has announced plans for a significant initiative that will require MYR1 billion in funding from the federal government. The funds will be used to support large-scale rice cultivation and the irrigation of 10,000 hectares of land. Discussions with federal Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Mohamad Sabu, have already taken place. Sarawak’s commitment to the project is evident as they are prepared to match federal funding on a one-to-one basis. The identified areas for rice cultivation are located in Stumbin, Lingga, and Tanjung Bijat in Sri Aman district. To enhance rice production, advanced equipment and technologies will be utilized, including drones for fertilization and pest control, high-yielding hybrid seeds, and increased mechanization for harvesting. The objective is to achieve a production output of 240,000 tonnes of rice from the designated land. Sarawak also hopes to eventually produce 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes of rice per year, making the state self-sufficient in rice and allowing for potential exports. Currently, Sarawak produces about 150,000 tonnes of padi from about 85,000 hectares of land, with an average yield of 1.8 ton/ha. The state’s rice production includes indigenous varieties grown in the Bario region, which yield between three and four tonnes per hectare. The famous Bario white rice, priced at around MYR20 per kg, is cultivated by hand without pesticides and takes six months to mature. The goal of Sarawak’s initiative is to alleviate the shortage of white rice in Malaysia since the ban on rice exports by India in 2023. Malaysia imports rice from various countries, including Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Boosting Rice Production in Malaysia: Sarawak Aims to Rival Kedah as Top Rice Producer
Rice production in Malaysia is set to receive a significant boost as Sarawak, the country’s largest state by land area, aims to become the nation’s top rice producer, putting it on par with the rice bowl of Malaysia, Kedah. Sarawak’s Premier, Abang Johari Openg, recently announced plans for a major initiative that would require MYR1 billion in funding from the federal government.
The funds will be utilized to support large-scale rice cultivation and the irrigation of a vast expanse of land totaling 10,000 hectares. To put this into perspective, this area is approximately 20 times the size of Singapore’s Sentosa island. The state government of Sarawak, led by Premier Abang Johari, has firmly committed to matching the federal funding on a one-to-one basis, demonstrating its dedication to ensuring the success of this ambitious agricultural project.
Sarawak has already engaged in discussions with federal Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Mohamad Sabu, to seek support for this endeavor. Pending approval from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as the Finance Minister, Sarawak is determined to pursue this request. Premier Abang Johari stressed that for every MYR500 million allocated by the federal government, Sarawak will provide an equal amount of MYR500 million.
Enhancing Rice Production with Advanced Techniques
The identified areas for rice cultivation are located in Stumbin, Lingga, and Tanjung Bijat in Sri Aman district. Sarawak plans to leverage advanced techniques and technologies to enhance rice production. These include using drones for assisted fertilization and pest control, utilizing high-yielding hybrid seeds, and increasing mechanization for harvesting.
By adopting these measures, Sarawak aims to achieve a production output of 240,000 tonnes of rice from the designated land. Premier Abang Johari expressed optimism for the future, envisioning the ability to produce 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes of rice per year. This would not only make Sarawak self-sufficient in rice but also allow for potential exports, further contributing to the nation’s rice industry.
Currently, Sarawak produces about 150,000 tonnes of padi (unhusked rice) from approximately 85,000 hectares of land, resulting in an average yield of 1.8 tonnes per hectare. The state’s rice production includes indigenous varieties such as white and red rice from the mountainous Bario region, which yield between three and four tonnes per hectare for each harvest.
One of the well-known varieties, Bario white rice, commands a higher price of around MYR20 per kg. This rice is cultivated by hand without the use of pesticides and takes six months to mature. In contrast, the locally produced white rice commonly consumed by Malaysians has a ceiling price of MYR2.60 per kg.
Addressing the Rice Shortage in Malaysia
Malaysia has been grappling with a shortage of white rice since 2023, following India’s ban on rice exports. The ban initially targeted the export of widely consumed non-basmati white rice and was later extended to include restrictions on basmati rice and parboiled rice due to global increases in food prices driven by erratic weather patterns.
To fulfill the country’s rice demands, Malaysia imports rice from various countries including Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sarawak’s plan to bolster rice production through its ambitious initiative aims to alleviate the strain on the nation’s rice supply.
A Bright Future for Sarawak’s Rice Industry
Moving forward, Sarawak’s efforts to become a major rice producer in Malaysia are expected to have a far-reaching impact. By utilizing advanced techniques and technology, the state aims to increase its rice production significantly, ensuring self-sufficiency in rice and potentially contributing to rice exports.
With its commitment to matching federal funding on a one-to-one basis and an impressive plan to cultivate 10,000 hectares of land, Sarawak is well-positioned to rival Kedah as the nation’s top rice producer. As the project progresses, it is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the shortage of white rice in Malaysia and further strengthening the country’s rice industry as a whole.
Source: Borneo Bulletin
