SERIAN: The paddy planting season has arrived, bringing lush green fields to the area surrounding this constituency.
Typically, farmers begin cultivating paddy in their respective fields — whether in lowland areas or on hill slopes — at the onset of the rainy season in September.
In recent years, many farmers have shifted away from cultivating hill paddy, instead focusing on wetland fields. This change has largely been driven by the increasing challenges associated with farming in forested areas.
Additionally, the ageing population of farmers has impacted paddy cultivation, as fewer young people are engaging in traditional planting activities.
It is indeed a heartbreaking reality that farmers must persevere in their efforts to sustain their livelihoods, despite the numerous challenges they face.
Their dedication is essential not only for their families but also for ensuring a steady food supply for the community.
Each day, they rise early and toil tirelessly in the fields, driven by the need to put food on their tables and support their loved ones.
Embracing traditional paddy farming
The New Sarawak Tribune encountered a hardworking farmer from Kampung Bunan Gega, who was preparing to leave for his field at 11am.
Despite his busy schedule, Kadir graciously took some time to share his story, reflecting on his lifelong connection to paddy farming, the challenges he faces, and his hopes for the future.
Kadir recalled that he began helping his late father with paddy farming at the tender age of 13.
At that time, his family cultivated various types of paddy, including both hill rice and wetland paddy.
Now 56, Kadir has transitioned exclusively to wetland paddy, finding it more manageable than the physically demanding process of cultivating hill paddy in forested areas.
“It’s been a long time since I worked on hill paddy. It’s very labour-intensive, involving tasks like felling trees, clearing the logs, and much more.
“Once the trees are cut, the wood must be burned if it’s not used as firewood. The real challenge is controlling the spread of the fire to prevent it from encroaching on others’ land.
“In the wetlands, we only need to spray herbicides to control the weeds. Even if burning is necessary, it’s much easier to manage because the area is naturally wet, making it simpler to control the fire,” he said.
With the paddy seedlings fully planted, Kadir’s current routine involves fertilising the crops and spraying insecticides to protect against pests.
He began planting the seedlings in mid-September, with an expected harvest around January the following year.
“I grow this paddy solely for personal consumption, not for commercial sale,” Kadir explained.
Challenges and Changes
Kadir, one of seven siblings, now manages the expansive paddy fields with his older brother.
Although their family owns a larger plot in the area, they have allowed other villagers to cultivate parts of the land to prevent it from becoming overgrown and neglected.
Due to the physical limitations that come with age, Kadir, who remains unmarried, shared that none of their grandchildren have shown interest in continuing the family’s paddy cultivation efforts.
“I’m seen as the head of the family among my siblings because here, the paddy fields that my late father passed down to us have been divided into several sections.
“But we let others cultivate most of these sections. It’s not exactly a rental arrangement — we just let them use the land. In return, after harvesting, they give us some unprocessed paddy as compensation,” he explained.
Kadir expressed his concern about the lack of interest among younger people in pursuing farming, saying that most of the paddy farmers in the Serian area still rely on traditional methods, which may be less appealing to the youth.
Farming here often involves manual labour, using tools like hoes, sickles, and wheelbarrows for soil work and gathering crops.
The application of pesticides and fertilisers is typically done by hand, without the aid of advanced technology like drones or automated machinery.
The planting process itself involves directly transplanting the seedlings into the wet paddy fields — a method that demands significant human effort, especially during the planting and harvesting phases.
However, Kadir acknowledged that the village’s paddy fields are now better organised, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID).
The department has constructed a systematic irrigation system, making water management more efficient for the farmers.
Navigating future opportunities
Currently, Kadir noted that private companies have approached landowners to manage their paddy fields in a more organised manner.
However, he said that none of the local farmers have accepted these offers, as they are still capable of managing their own agricultural practices.
According to Kadir, the terms proposed are not for the outright purchase of land but rather a rental arrangement for a specified period.
“There have been requests from companies seeking to lease the land for large-scale farming operations.
“The terms do not involve selling the land; it’s more like lending it for an extended duration, sometimes spanning several decades,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Kadir hopes that the land he currently manages can be passed down to the grandchildren, allowing them to engage in whatever type of agriculture they desire.
Additionally, he said that his land could also be handed over to the government for a greater purpose.
“When I’m no longer around, it will be up to the grandchildren to decide what to do with the land I have,” he said.
Hybrid paddy initiative offers hope for Sarawak’s agricultural future
Kadir acknowledged that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is leading an initiative in Sarawak to cultivate hybrid paddy, a project aimed at significantly enhancing the state’s rice production.
The hybrid paddy varieties are being developed in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Global Farm Biotech Sdn Bhd, designed to yield three times more than traditional varieties.
Kadir said if the villagers were provided with these seeds, they would gladly adopt them to simplify their farming efforts.
“There’s a nearby area in Gedong that is already using these hybrid seeds. If we were also given access to them, it would be even better.
“It would make our work much easier as we wouldn’t have to wait long for the crops to mature,” he explained.
He emphasised the importance of support from the agricultural department, hoping that other farmers in the region could be granted the same opportunity.
“We are grateful for any assistance that can ease our farming practices, even as we continue to rely on traditional methods,” Kadir added.
The introduction of hybrid seeds in Sarawak comes at a crucial time, as the state has been seeking ways to improve its food security and reduce reliance on imported rice.
Previous reports highlighted the potential benefits of these hybrid varieties, not only for increasing yield but also for enhancing the resilience of rice crops against pests and diseases.
By adopting these new seeds, Kadir believes that farmers in the constituency, and in Sarawak, could experience a transformative change in their agricultural productivity.
“This could help ensure that our communities are more self-sufficient and less vulnerable to fluctuations in the rice market,” he said.
As the initiative progresses, Kadir remains hopeful that it will pave the way for a brighter future for paddy farming in Sarawak, encouraging younger generations to consider agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path.
