(Kuching, 26th) Sarawak is determined to reduce its reliance on imported rice and enhance its potential as a major exporter in the region.
Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari stated that challenges brought by climate change are affecting rice production in major supplier countries like Vietnam and India, making this initiative necessary.
“Vietnam is facing floods, while India is dealing with production issues due to natural disasters. We cannot continue to rely on them.”
Abang Johari said this while delivering his speech at the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Sarawak Agricultural Department last night.
He added that as a first step, rice planted using Vietnamese seeds in the Jerang district has been successfully harvested within three months.
The project will be expanded to the southern regions, including 6,000 hectares of state government land in Limbang and Lawas, with a production target of up to 124,000 tonnes annually.
He also set a goal to open an additional 10,000 hectares of land, aiming for a rice production of 400,000 tonnes within two years, thereby making Sarawak a major rice production and export hub in the region.