SANTUBONG, Apr 4: Sarawak aims to achieve 100 percent self-sufficiency level (SSL) in rice production by cultivating rice on limited plots of land and near residential areas, based on successful models implemented in other countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and China.
Senior Assistant Director of the Sarawak Agriculture Department, Jafarudiin Ali, said that through innovative approaches and suitable technology, rice cultivation can thrive even on limited land, aligning with the vision of Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for modern agricultural practices.
“In some countries like Japan, Taiwan, and China, there are limited spaces for rice cultivation. They grow rice behind or near their homes.
“For us at the Agriculture Department, as long as the location is suitable and with the appropriate technology, rice can be planted and managed in areas with limited space.
“This is our perspective in this department, and we can see evidence of this through the work done by CENTEXS, which we witnessed today,” he told reporters after attending the paddy test bed demonstration program at the Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) here today.
In line with the Premier’s goal for Sarawak to achieve 100 percent food self-sufficiency by 2030, he revealed that his department and the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD) will collaborate with various agencies and educational institutions.
“Current efforts have been noted with CENTEXS showcasing the potential of rice cultivation, as demonstrated by the successful harvesting of MR297 rice variety at their site.
“This demonstrates the potential for rice cultivation across the state provided there are sufficient water and fertilizer resources.
“Stakeholder collaboration extends from seed production to the implementation of modern technologies, such as IoT, ensuring a comprehensive approach to agricultural development,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technologies such as contemporary rice varieties and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) in rice farming practices to rejuvenate the industry and engage young farmers with the goal of increasing yields and attracting the interest of the younger generation.
Previously, CENTEXS successfully developed a smart precision agriculture technology for rice cultivation, with the pioneer project yielding positive results.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Syeed Mohd Hussein Wan Abdul Rahman, said the rice cultivation also uses the Drip Irrigation System, the first in Malaysia.
He added that this innovative method could reduce water usage by up to 70 percent and is expected to yield up to 10 tons of rice per hectare per season.-TVS
