THE Minister for Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development has identified 216 hectares in Sungai Tunoh, Kapit are suitable for rice cultivation.
Bukit Kota assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the area has been proposed in the government’s planning list for development with basic irrigation and drainage infrastructure.
“My ministry is aware of the new area, Sungai Entuloh in Kapit.
“The Sarawak Department of Agriculture is conducting a feasibility study in that area to assess its potential for rice cultivation, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025,” he said.
He was replying to Nicholas Kudi Jantai (GPS-Baleh) on whether the state government considered the Tunoh or Entuloh, Merirai area suitable as a major rice-growing and production area, in response to the call for Sarawak to become the nation’s primary ‘food basket’ during the question-and-answer session in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
On another note, he said a total of 395 wet paddy farmers and 585 hill paddy farmers in the Merit area, have benefited from the federal government’s Fertiliser and Paddy Scheme (SBPKP) and the Hill Paddy Fertiliser and Pesticide Scheme (SBRPB).
“This assistance covered a total planting area of 980 hectares, with total assistance amounting to RM960,838.00 for the year 2024,” he said.
