BY FASIHA KHUSHIRI & NUR ATIQAH QURATULAINI
KUCHING: The ‘Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak’ (CENTEXS) showcased its one-acre rice testbed, demonstrating the effectiveness of precision farming techniques such as drip farming and drip irrigation.
CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Syeed Mohd Hussein Wan Abd Rahman announced the successful innovation of drip irrigation technology for harvesting paddy on the testbed.
“The paddy that was cultivated by CENTEXS last November is now ready for harvest. This is a significant milestone because we will now implement this technology,” he said to reporters on April 3.
He explained that drip farming, utilizing drip irrigation, was the technology they employed. This method is crucial during the rainy season when water is needed.
“We use drip farming and drip irrigation. Water supply is essential, especially during the rainy season,” he elaborated.
He also highlighted that the drip irrigation machine is easier to operate compared to manual harvesting methods, which require many labourers.
“The drip irrigation machine is user-friendly, eliminating the need for manual harvesters that require a large workforce. It’s challenging to find people willing to do this kind of work nowadays,” he added.
“With the drip irrigation machine, we can commercialize rice production, similar to the business model of the palm oil industry. This is a significant moment for CENTEXS, and I believe it’s crucial for Sarawak as we embark on our technological journey,” he emphasized.
In addition to technological advancements, CENTEXS emphasized the importance of adopting successful business models, drawing parallels with the thriving oil palm industry in Malaysia and Indonesia.
The project showcased its efficiency by harnessing renewable energy sources and minimizing reliance on traditional pumping methods, even in remote regions like Sarawak.
Regarding the rice seed variety used, he mentioned that they utilized the MR297 variety, recommended by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
He stated that this seed variety could yield around 7.5 to 8.9 tons per hectare within 110 to 115 days of planting without germination issues.
Furthermore, they conducted studies on insect pests, rodents, and birds, which yielded successful results.
For the record, CENTEXS Kuching initiated the project in December of the previous year following a directive from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, urging CENTEXS to establish a specialized unit to explore rice technology and collaborate with the Department of Agriculture (DoA) to make Sarawak a net rice exporter.
