KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is set to emerge as Malaysia’s largest rice producer by 2030, potentially overtaking Kedah’s long-held role as the country’s “rice bowl”, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
He said Sarawak aimed to become a food security hub under its Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), aligned with the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-2025.
“The commitment will be translated through the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), where the Federal Government has outlined three key strategies for the agri-food sector: boosting food production, strengthening supply security, and reinforcing supply chains,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 21).
To drive the agenda, he said 10 development projects focusing on irrigation and drainage upgrades are underway with a total allocation of RM271.89mil. An additional RM157.8mil has been requested under 13MP.
Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) had asked about plans to make Sarawak a food security hub or designated Food Security Focus Zone under the five-year policy.
He said three new projects worth RM88.3mil have also been proposed in Integrated Agricultural Development Areas (IADA) in Samarahan, Bijat-Stumbin (Sri Aman), and Daro Padi (Mukah).
“These initiatives are expected to significantly increase rice yields and help balance agricultural development in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Beyond rice, Arthur said the ministry was also focusing on other strategic crops such as grain corn, onions and coffee to reduce import dependence. Three projects worth RM10.21mil will be implemented in Sarawak during 13MP.
According to him, the government is targeting 30% local production of grain corn by 2040 and onions by 2030.
In addition, he said the pineapple industry in the Bornean states will receive a boost under the Pineapple Industry Modernisation and Empowerment Project.
"Through the programme, Sarawakians will be able to participate in the entire value chain from production and marketing to downstream product development, waste utilisation, mechanisation and automation – aimed at improving productivity and making the sector more competitive," he added.
