Sarawak farmers to produce red rice for Nestle’s infant cereals

FARMERS in Sarawak are embarking on commercial production of traditional red rice under a contract farming scheme with Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd. 

Under the newly-launched scheme, an initial 112 farmers will plant and produce the red rice for one of Nestle’s range of infant cereals for the Asean market. 

Nutritional: Women of Kampung Serikin preparing the traditional red rice to be served for lunch.

The pilot project involves 62 farmers in Kampung Serikin near Bau, who will cultivate 20ha of red rice, and 50 farmers in Sekuduk Cupak, Siburan, on 25ha of land. 

Nestle’s executive director of production Dr Magdi Batato said the project aimed to boost the income of farmers and expose them to good agricultural practices besides creating local raw material for the food company. 

“Our efforts on this project began in 2004 when a series of meetings were carried out with the state’s Agriculture Department on the possibility of contract farming of traditional red rice to meet Nestle’s manufacturing needs. 

“After two years of trials, four varieties of red rice with the best potential for commercialisation were jointly identified by the Agriculture Research Centre and Nestle,” he said. 

Unique method: Villagers preparing ikan pansoh (fish cooked in bamboo) for lunch.

The four varieties are Udang Halus, Udang Besar, Katek Merah and Silah Merah, selected for their high nutritional and anti-oxidant content, vigorous field performance, and Nestle's ability to process the rice for health and baby foods. 

Dr Batato said the project was in line with Nestle’s philosophy of nutritional health and wellness. 

“Red rice has health benefits. It fits in with our efforts to provide better products with more nutrition for our customers. 

Traditional wear: Dr Chan (left) donning a Bidayuh garment upon arrival at KampungSerikin for the project’s launch.

“We are happy and excited about the project. It is a win-win situation for the farmers and Nestle,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan described the project as a first step towards commercial production of specialty rice in Sarawak.  

Hard work: Farmers planting red rice seedlings under the scheme with Nestle.

“It is an important occasion which marks the beginning of commercialisation of our traditional red rice. 

“It is a niche product that we can delve into and develop,” he said when launching the project at Kampung Serikin, about 56km from Kuching, on Tuesday. 

He advised the farmers to work closely with the Agriculture Department and Nestle to ensure the project's success. 

The first harvest of red rice under the project is expected to take place at the end of March next year. 

Nestle aims to increase the production area to 250-300ha. Several areas in Sri Aman, Sarikei and Betong have been identified for this.