NST Online / BERNAMA
2008/05/07
Sarawak revises rice production target to become self-sufficient under 9MP
KUCHING, WED:Concerned over the need to address food security, Sarawak is revising its rice production target to become 100 percent self-sufficient under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today, the state's target was to achieve 70 percent self-sufficiency level to catch up with that of the Peninsular under the 9MP.
The state minister for modernisation of agriculture was replying to Vincent Goh Chung Siong (BN-Pelawan), Robert Lawson Chuat (BN-Bukit Saban), Abdul Rahman Junaidi (BN-Pantai Damai), Wahbi Junaidi (BN-Saribas).
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya), Joseph Mauh (BN-Tamin), Voon Lee Shan (DAP-Batu Lintang) and Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong) on the ministry's progress in increasing rice production in Sarawak.
Dr Chan said Sarawak — currently the nation's fourth largest rice producer, after Kedah, Perak and Kelantan — had achieved a self-sufficiency level of 53 per cent with total rice production of 124,544 metric tonnes (or equivalent to 207,573 metric tonnes of padi).
In line with the federal government's move to make Sarawak one of the major rice-producing areas, Dr Chan said 43,821 hectares in eight areas, including Limbang Valley, Paloh, Daro, Nanga Merit and Pulau Bruit, was identified as suitable for large-scale padi production.
The state government would embark on the development of the Sungai Sebelak area at Roban, involving 3,537 hectares, as the first granary to be implemented under the 9MP, he said.
He said the ministry would also start the rice estate in Tulai, Bintangor by the next season in September, by providing fertilisers and machinery, following the RM50 million federal grant announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Sunday for the state's emergency rice programme.
"It will take all our efforts...it is not going to be easy for the ministry as the local farmers have to change their mindset and accept a centralised management, practise efficient water control and use machinery to boost yields," added Dr Chan.
He said the state's target was to increase the existing padi yield of 2.8 metric tonnes to four per hectare annually, through the implementation of padi infrastructure improvement projects, besides promoting the use of high-yield varieties such as MR219, MR220 and MR232 or hybrid padi for double crop planting.
On the concern for sufficient rice supply and price increase, Dr Chan said, the government through Bernas, would ensure there was sufficient rice to meet the demand of customers while monitoring the stocks to prevent hoarding which could result in unreasonable price hikes.
"Currently, the state was 100 percent self-sufficient in the production of chicken, egg and pork as well as local fruits, vegetables and fish," he said.
However, he said, selected sub-tropical and temperate fruits and vegetables were imported to cater for the consumers' specific preference and choice while fish was imported for certain months of each year, ranging from 10,000-20,000 metric tonnes to supplement local supply.
