Sarawak is set to become the country’s largest rice producer by 2030, potentially overtaking Kedah’s role.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Arthur Joseph Kurup, said this is part of Sarawak’s efforts to position itself as a food security hub in line with the implementation of the Sarawak Post-Covid-19 Development Plan (PCDS 2030) and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-25.

He said the initiative is aligned with the national agenda to strengthen the agriculture sector and agri-food industry to ensure food security and the overall well-being of the people.

To drive this agenda, focus will be placed on the implementation and completion of 10 development projects as well as upgrading irrigation and drainage infrastructure, with a total cost of RM271.89 million. An additional RM157.8 million has been requested under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).

“This commitment will be realised through RMK13, where the Federal Government has outlined three main strategies for the agri-food sector – boosting food production, strengthening food supply security, and enhancing food supply chains,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Arthur was responding to a question from Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) on the government’s plans to make Sarawak a food security hub or Food Security Focus Zone under the five-year policy.

He added that three new projects have also been proposed in the Integrated Agricultural Development Areas (IADA) of Samarahan, Bijat-Stumbin (Sri Aman), and Daro Padi (Mukah), with an allocation of RM88.3 million.

“This initiative is expected to significantly increase rice yields and balance development between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak,” he said.

Furthermore, Arthur said the ministry is also focusing on strategic crops such as grain corn, onions, and coffee, which could reduce dependence on imports.

Three projects related to these crops will be carried out in Sarawak with a total allocation of RM10.21 million during RMK13.

The government’s targets are to achieve 30% local production of grain corn by 2040 and onions by 2030.

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Source: Berita Harian