KUCHING: The Gedong district is poised to become the primary hub for hybrid rice seed production in Sarawak, marking a significant step towards self-sufficiency in the state’s rice production.
According to a news report by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), about 200 acres of land in the district have been prepared to serve as a nursery for these hybrid rice seeds.
Special Representative to the Premier Datuk Seri Mohd Naroden Majais said this venture aligns with the vision of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to reduce dependence on external sources for rice and establish Sarawak as a self-reliant region in rice production.
“The Sarawak government, in collaboration with Global Tech Farm, a renowned rice seed producer from the peninsula, has initiated the production of 538 Hybrid Rice Seed.
“The 200-acre land in Gedong would undergo three seasons of seed production annually, aiming to yield approximately eight tonnes of rice per hectare per season.
“Under the Agricultural Contract method, these hybrid rice seeds will be distributed to farmers, who, in turn, will cultivate the land and sell their crops back to the company,” he said in a press conference after a land lease agreement signing ceremony recently.
The agreement signing was held between the Lubuk Teranggas Land Committee and Global Farm Biotech Sdn Bhd for the rice seed production.
The adviser to the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment added that the government is committed to identifying additional areas for commercial hybrid rice cultivation, including Tanjung Bijat, Tanjung Purun (Lundu), Kampung Spaoh, and potentially in Limbang valley.
Naroden said the Sarawak government has set a target for a total cultivation area of 10,000 hectares initially and expanding to 15,000 to 20,000 hectares.
This effort aims to position Sarawak as a region capable of supplying 100 per cent of its local rice demand without relying on external sources.
He stated that when the time comes, they will give him the Premier the honour to officially name the hybrid rice seed and hybrid rice.
