(Miri, 19th) Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Primary Industries, and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi, stated that the palm oil industry remains an important pillar of Sarawak's economy, contributing over 80% of Sarawak's income. Therefore, Sarawak must continue to promote the development of both upstream and downstream industries of palm oil to increase product value and ensure the integrity of the industrial chain.
He said that the agricultural development of Sarawak still faces challenges, especially in the downstream production and sales sectors in the central region. The government will continue to strive to improve the quality and quantity of palm oil production and promote the development of the energy and biotechnology industries to meet the demands of the international market.
Stephen Rundi made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Palm Oil Management, Technology, Exhibition, and Conference hosted by the Sarawak Oil Palm Planters Association at the Pullman Hotel in Miri this morning.
He pointed out that to achieve sustainable development, the Sarawak government is taking measures to reduce losses and enhance competitiveness in agriculture and primary industries. Therefore, optimizing resource allocation is essential to drive the growth of the agricultural industry.
“In terms of food security, the government plans to improve rice production with two planting seasons per year and invest RM1 billion in infrastructure to enhance agricultural technology and production efficiency. Government intervention is crucial, and providing grants and policy support is necessary to ensure the success of agricultural projects.”
He also mentioned that many farmers in his constituency have chosen to plant oil palm, with some rice fields even being converted to oil palm plantations because oil palm cultivation is relatively easier, while rice cultivation is more complex, although this is not encouraged.
“The agricultural sector must prioritize innovation and research to tackle future challenges and ensure industry sustainability. Sarawak needs to balance between primary products and food crops to address the global food crisis and promote the long-term development of the food industry.”
He stated that Sarawak has been listed as a high-income state by the World Bank, but more proactive policies and measures are needed to further expand the downstream market and products. Thus, the post-2030 development blueprint includes multiple fields such as agriculture, infrastructure construction, small enterprises, and road construction. The government will promote agricultural development to a higher level through subsidies and incentives.
“The geographical conditions of Sarawak limit agricultural development, so new technologies such as drone irrigation systems need to be introduced to improve agricultural productivity, as tasks that used to take a week can now be completed in an hour using drones, greatly enhancing efficiency.”
He hopes that through cooperation between the government and enterprises, the modernization of agriculture in Sarawak's rural areas can be promoted, allowing more rural people to participate in industrial transformation, achieving mutual benefit, and creating a prosperous future for agriculture.”
He said that the agricultural development of Sarawak still faces challenges, especially in the downstream production and sales sectors in the central region. The government will continue to strive to improve the quality and quantity of palm oil production and promote the development of the energy and biotechnology industries to meet the demands of the international market.
Stephen Rundi made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Palm Oil Management, Technology, Exhibition, and Conference hosted by the Sarawak Oil Palm Planters Association at the Pullman Hotel in Miri this morning.
He pointed out that to achieve sustainable development, the Sarawak government is taking measures to reduce losses and enhance competitiveness in agriculture and primary industries. Therefore, optimizing resource allocation is essential to drive the growth of the agricultural industry.
“In terms of food security, the government plans to improve rice production with two planting seasons per year and invest RM1 billion in infrastructure to enhance agricultural technology and production efficiency. Government intervention is crucial, and providing grants and policy support is necessary to ensure the success of agricultural projects.”
He also mentioned that many farmers in his constituency have chosen to plant oil palm, with some rice fields even being converted to oil palm plantations because oil palm cultivation is relatively easier, while rice cultivation is more complex, although this is not encouraged.
“The agricultural sector must prioritize innovation and research to tackle future challenges and ensure industry sustainability. Sarawak needs to balance between primary products and food crops to address the global food crisis and promote the long-term development of the food industry.”
He stated that Sarawak has been listed as a high-income state by the World Bank, but more proactive policies and measures are needed to further expand the downstream market and products. Thus, the post-2030 development blueprint includes multiple fields such as agriculture, infrastructure construction, small enterprises, and road construction. The government will promote agricultural development to a higher level through subsidies and incentives.
“The geographical conditions of Sarawak limit agricultural development, so new technologies such as drone irrigation systems need to be introduced to improve agricultural productivity, as tasks that used to take a week can now be completed in an hour using drones, greatly enhancing efficiency.”
He hopes that through cooperation between the government and enterprises, the modernization of agriculture in Sarawak's rural areas can be promoted, allowing more rural people to participate in industrial transformation, achieving mutual benefit, and creating a prosperous future for agriculture.”