Sarawak should be able to produce temperate cereals such as wheat, oats and barley locally.
Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the state could quite easily produce most of them due to its ample land and water, and favourable climate.
“Our goal of becoming a net food exporter 2030 is quite achievable provided we adopt the right technology and production systems and provide the necessary support to our agricultural industry,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech.
In 2017, Sarawak’s food import was valued at RM4.6 billion while its food exports came up to RM1 billion only – a deficit of RM3.6 billion.
The biggest import items are beverages and spices worth RM1.05 billion.
The import items are mostly meat and dairy products at RM606 million, fruits and vegetables (RM548 million), rice and cereals (RM540 million), and processed animal feed valued at RM430 million.
