KUCHING: Sarawak is embarking on large-scale padi farming to ensure rice self-sufficiency in the state, says Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi.
The state Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister said Sarawak needed 450,000 tonnes of padi a year, equivalent to 260,000 tonnes of rice, to meet domestic demand.
"We cannot depend on rice imports forever. If rice exporting countries face a decrease in production due to climate change or geopolitical issues, we will have a problem.
"Therefore we must be prepared to produce sufficient rice without importing, which will also ensure food security," he said when launching the Sarawak Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024 here on Wednesday (July 9).
Dr Rundi said his ministry would continue to identify suitable land for padi farming.
"This has to be based on data. Sarawak is big but not all land is suitable for padi," he said.
It was previously reported that 11,700ha of state land had been identified for padi cultivation as of May this year.
Eight project areas under state land have been approved for padi development by the Sarawak Padi and Rice Taskforce, covering a total of 2,000ha in Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Kapit and Limbang.
Dr Rundi also called on the state Agriculture Department to step up the registration of farmers under its e-Tani system for more effective distribution of assistance.
Through the system, he said, the department would be able to identify not only the farmers but what crops they produce, where they are located and their needs.
"This will allow us to formulate targeted policies, assistance and incentives based on the data," he said.
