RAJANG: The Rajang area has significant potential to become the largest rice producer in Sarawak, said Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environmeny Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
He said it has such potential following the success of a pilot rice cultivation project in the Sungai Bapa area, Rajang here.
“Although the project is still in the research and development phase, the collaboration with several landowners and the Kuala Rajang Islamic Welfare Board (LAKIKR) has already yielded the expected results.
“Besides becoming a commercial expansion strategy, this project is also a strategy for food security in Sarawak, reducing reliance on imported rice,” said Len.
He said this after attending the symbolic ceremony for first harvest of the Sungai Bapa, Kampung Rajang rice cultivation on Wednesday.
Therefore, Len urged landowners in the Sungai Bapa, Kampung Rajang area to participate in the project run by PadiHead Sdn Bhd and Ta Ann Group, so as to realise the mission and goal of making Rajang the largest rice producer in Sarawak.
“That’s why today we are inviting the involved landowners to the land use agreement meeting here. We want them to understand what we aim to do.
“We are not taking their land, but leasing it, it’s not for free. We have shown them the progress of our efforts after three months,” he added.
Meanwhile, Len said that the Kuala Rajang Islamic Welfare Board (LAKIKR) has also requested 226.8 acres of government land in the Sungai Bapa Scheme from the Sarawak government for rice cultivation in cooperation with Ta Ann Group.
“If this rice cultivation project can be expanded, other downstream industries related to rice, such as rice flour and vermicelli production, can also be developed,” he added.
Len also urged the media to help disseminate information about these efforts for the benefit of the people and to ensure food security in Sarawak.
