KUCHING: The Sarawak Padi and Rice Board will be established as a state agency overseeing the sustainable development of padi cultivation and rice production in support of food security.
This comes after the Sarawak Legislative Assembly approved the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill on Tuesday (May 12).
State Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi, who tabled the Bill, said a reliable supply of rice was vital for improving food resilience and reducing dependency on external sources.
He said the Bill would empower Sarawak to manage, develop and sustain its padi and rice industry, operating in tandem with the existing Federal framework while strengthening the state's role.
"It shall not contravene or supersede any provision of Federal law and is designed to function within the state’s constitutional and legislative competence, focusing on areas such as production planning, distribution management, farmer development and monitoring systems," he said.
Dr Rundi said the board's functions include issuing licences, collecting fees and appointing agents and experts.
It will also promote research and commercialisation, develop marketing strategies and advise the government on policy matters.
In addition, he said the Bill provides that the state Cabinet may gazette state land as padi development areas, to be developed by the board by itself or in collaboration with other parties.
"The gazettement of state land for padi development is an important step to secure land availability and prevent future land use conflicts.
"This provides a stable foundation for large-scale agricultural planning and investment," he said.
The Bill was passed after 31 assemblymen debated on it.
