KUCHING: Sarawak can contribute to Malaysia's rice self-sufficiency level and improve food security amid global uncertainties, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said climate change was affecting rice production in countries like Vietnam, which in turn would affect Malaysia's rice imports.
"We won’t have rice if the countries that produce it are not willing to export. Malaysia has to be self-sufficient.
"And Sarawak wants to contribute to that self-sufficiency because we have land," he said when opening the Sarawak Rice Conference here on Tuesday (Oct 6).
Abang Johari said the state government has identified 14,000ha of land for padi cultivation, including 7,000ha of state land to be gazetted for the purpose.
He said this would guarantee the availability of land for padi production.
In addition, the state government is working with universities and researchers to identify seeds with better rice yields.
"One hectare on average traditionally produces 1.2 metric tons per harvest. We must have a target of eight to 12 metric tons per hectare per harvest," Abang Johari said.
In this respect, he said ongoing research with China's Yunnan University on perennial rice appeared to be successful, with trials in Kuala Baram producing encouraging results.
"You do not need to replant the rice after harvesting because the new shoots will grow by themselves.
"In two and a half to three months' time, you can harvest the rice again. This is something new and seems to be working in Baram."
Abang Johari said perennial rice cultivation may be extended to other areas in Sarawak to increase production.
He said the perennial rice could potentially yield 24 metric tons per hectare annually with three harvests a year.
"That means if we cultivate 12,000ha, we can achieve at least 60% self-sufficiency in rice for Sarawak," he said.
