Gedong sets sights on becoming Sarawak’s main producer of hybrid paddy seeds

Naroden (centre) and other during the press conference. Photo credit: Ukas

KUCHING, Nov 28: Gedong is set to become the main hub in hybrid paddy seed production in Sarawak, says Dato Sri Mohd Naroden Majais.

According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) news report, during a recent press conference, the representative of the Special Task Force to Gedong said 200 acres in Gedong have been prepared as a nursery for the hybrid paddy seeds.

He said this is essential to prepare Sarawak to become a region capable of producing rice for local use while simultaneously reducing dependence on rice producers from outside the State.

Naroden, who is also an advisor to the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment, said to increase rice production in Sarawak, the government has taken the initiative to produce ‘Benih Padi Hybrid 538’ through Global Tech Farm from Peninsular Malaysia.

“The 200-acre land will produce seeds in three seasons, which can be harvested about two-and-a-half times a year, and we expect one hectare to produce about eight tonnes of rice if three seasons means 24 tonnes for one hectare.

“The hybrid paddy seeds will be supplied to farmers through the ‘contract farming’ method where they cultivate the land and sell back their crops to the company,” he said.

He added it is a priority for the Sarawak government to identify more areas to cultivate hybrid paddy commercially, namely Tanjung Bijat, Tanjung Purun (Lundu) and Kampung Spaoh and potentially Limbang. — DayakDaily