KUCHING: Hybrid paddy seed experts from Wuhan, China, may extend assistance to Sarawak for its paddy cultivation project following the success of a pilot project in Lubok Punggor, Gedong.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the pilot project covering a one-hectare site yielded an impressive eight tonnes of harvest from the hybrid seed within three months.
“Normally, we produce three to four tonnes of yield. However, with the new innovation of this hybrid seed, we managed to harvest a larger number of yield.
“Alhamdulillah, upon hearing about our success, the expert who made this seed, wants to come to Sarawak all the way from China to see the cultivation project. He wanted to come and help us to produce more rice here in our state,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Civil Service Innovation Convention Awards (SCSICA) held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Oct 27).
Following this, Abang Johari also shared that during his meeting with the heads of states a few days ago, he had taken the opportunity to brief Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the paddy cultivation and its need to develop drainage and irrigation systems.
“I told the prime minister that I need the money for the infrastructure. I told him, Sarawak can do it and you (the federal government) must help us.
“Sarawak has the land but it needs the infrastructure for drainage and irrigation. If you (federal government) give (the infrastructures), Sarawak will work hard and maybe the whole Malaysia will be self-sufficient in rice,” he said.
For the record, the pilot project for paddy cultivation using the hybrid seed was said to have the potential to yield between eight to 10 tonnes of paddy per hectare.
Sarawak aims to cultivate 10,000 hectares of land which can produce over 200,000 tonnes of paddy annually which increases the state’s self-sufficiency in rice.
