KUCHING: Senate president Datuk Mutang Tagal has urged the Ba’Kelalan farming community to work together on initiatives for the commercial production of Adan rice.
Mutang, a Lun Bawang from Ba’Kelalan said these farmers need to innovate their agricultural methods without neglecting the premium organic quality of the Adan rice.
“When this effort has been carried out, the Ba’Kelalan farming community can request cooperation, assistance and support from state and federal government agencies, especially in the field of research and development, branding, promotion and marketing of Adan rice to the international market,” he said.
Mutang said since Adan rice is only planted once a year for now a more comprehensive study by government agencies such as Mardi and local universities will help make double cultivation successful.
Mutang officiated the 2024 Adan Rice Festival on Friday (Apr 19), its 3rd edition organised by local residents and it was also attended by Senate deputy president Datuk Nur Jazlan Tan Sri Mohamad.
Also present were Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Lawas MP, Datuk Ahmad Nazri Mohd Hassan, Sarawak Federal Secretary and Ninth Infantry Division Commander Brig-Gen Ahmad Norzaini Badrun
At the event, Mutang donated RM10,000 to the event organisers.
In his speech, he voiced his hopes and aspirations for the development of the Adan Rice Festival and the Ba’Kelalan farming community.
“This Adan rice has intellectual property rights (IP) and is recognised as premium organic rice and I hope the Ba’Kelalan farming community will take the initiative to produce it commercially and promote the unique quality and value of this Adan rice.
“This includes branding and packaging of Adan rice to reflect that it is premium organic rice,” he said.
He reiterated that state and federal government agencies are always ready to help them.
He added that infrastructure development in the Ba’Kelalan area has also been scheduled over the next few years, including the construction of roads, water treatment centres, continuous and stable electricity connections, as well as improving internet access.
“With this infrastructure improvement, the Ba’Kelalan community should develop their land and start producing fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers that are only available in the highlands such as commercial production in Kundasang and Cameron Highlands.
“This will generate additional income for them in addition to the Adan rice production and at the same time attract more tourists to visit Ba’Kelalan.”
Ba’Kelalan, he said, has great potential to be marketed and promoted as an ecological tourism destination.
