KUCHING: The Sarawak government wants the federal government to assist in paddy cultivation initiatives in the state.
In stressing this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state is already commencing paddy cultivation using a smart approach in Gedong.
“Gedong will be using new ways to produce rice. As such, I have asked the federal government to assist us by giving allocation for the construction of ditches and water lines.
“So, I hope our Batang Sadong MP Rodiyah Sapiee can also raise this up to the federal government,” he said.
He said this during the Gabungan Pertalian Keluarga’s (GPK) Simpulan Kasih event held at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre Kuching on Saturday (Oct 28) evening.
Abang Johari, who is also the Gedong assemblyman, said for a start, Lubok Punggor in Gedong has started using new rice seeds for paddy cultivation on a one-hectare site, with the potential for three harvests in a year.
“In a single season, eight tonnes of paddy can be harvested. So, with three seasons, meaning a total of 24 tonnes of paddy harvested on one hectare of land.
“After Gedong, we will also continue this paddy cultivation project in Stumbin Pijat in Sri Aman, Spaoh and Tanjung Purun in Lundu.
“If we cultivate paddy on 10,000 hectares of land, it can yield up to 240,000 tonnes of paddy (annually), this means it will contribute to rice self-sufficiency as Bernas currently imports about 150,000 tonnes of rice,” he said.
He added paddy could be processed into value-added products such as rice flour or rice noodles, thus these will be another product to generate income for the state.
“As such, the younger generation must be trained through the universities on this so that they can be successful entrepreneurs in the food industry.
“In essence, Gedong’s future will be bright through what the state government has planned and implemented,” said Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, the GPK primarily consists of members who are descendants of Malay ‘pembesar’ (dignitaries) from Gedong.
Among them are descendants of Datu Patinggi Muai, Datu Patinggi Julak Ali, Datu Patinggi Hamid, Datu Patinggi Daud, Datu Bandar Kassim, Datu Bandar Sulaiman and Datuk Bana.
Therefore, the GPK’s Simpulan Kasih event was held to gather descendants and their family members from Sarawak including Brunei.
Among those present were Rodiyah, Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris, Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki, and former Gedong assemblyman Datuk Seri Naroden Majais who is also the GPK 2023 patron.
