KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is targeting the reopening of 1,000ha of idle padi land as part of efforts to achieve a 30% rice self-sufficiency level by 2030, says Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
He said the latest MOU between the Sabah Padi and Rice Board (LPBS), Arise Consulting (Sabah) Sdn Bhd and ABS Greentech Sdn Bhd was aimed at reviving abandoned padi fields and strengthening the state’s rice industry.
Jamawi said the MOU was the sixth signed this year as part of efforts to boost Sabah’s rice production.
“I am confident that with this MOU, especially since the company has already implemented rice planting in Seberang Perai, Penang, the technology used there can be transferred to farmers in Sabah.
“Media reports from two or three months ago highlighted that Penang produces significantly higher paddy yields per hectare than Sabah. This naturally raised questions about why Penang can achieve such high productivity while Sabah trails behind.
“That’s why we are bringing the technology from Penang to Sabah so that our farmers can revive idle padi fields,” he said after the MOU signing ceremony here on Friday.
Jamawi said some of the padi fields targeted for redevelopment had been abandoned for up to 10 years, while others had remained idle for at least five to six years.
He said the abandonment of suitable padi land by the first, second and third generations of farmers had contributed to the decline in Sabah’s rice self-sufficiency level.
“Younger generations no longer cultivate them, possibly due to a lack of technology and incentives to attract their interest.
“I believe this MOU with Arise Consulting and ABS Greentech will inspire young people,” he said.
He added that the MOU included technology transfer from the companies to landowners and youths in the affected areas.
The initiative to revive abandoned padi fields would combine modern and traditional technologies from India, the Netherlands and Indonesia, which would be adapted to Sabah’s soil and climate conditions.
The companies are also scouting other districts, including Kota Belud, Keningau, Ranau and Papar, with Kota Marudu selected as the starting point due to its large tracts of idle padi land and strong support from landowners and investors.
The long-term target is to develop up to 10,000ha of padi land in Sabah.
Sabah has about 25,000ha of padi fields, but only about half are currently being cultivated.
