Sarawak Rice and Rice Board boosted rice productivity

KUCHING, 6 Oct: The establishment of the Sarawak Rice and Rice Board is expected to be a catalyst for efforts to increase productivity, ensure more consistent rice production and strengthen farmers' incomes in the state.

The Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said preparations were underway following the approval of the Sarawak Rice and Rice Board Bill in May.

He said the board is expected to play an important role in providing strategic leadership, strengthening coordination across the rice value chain and driving the development of Sarawak's rice and rice industries.

"Our priority now is to make this progress into higher productivity, more reliable production and better incomes for farmers", he said.

He said this in the text of a speech read by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development of Sarawak, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail at the Inaugural Meeting of 2nd Sarawak Priestly Conference (SARICON II) 2026 here today.

SARICON II was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Sarawak, His Highness Tan Sri Brother Johari Tun Openg.

According to Dr Rundi, the sustainability aspect of industry needs to be taken into consideration through strengthening cooperation between researchers, industry players, government agencies and farmers.

He also called on all parties to make the outcomes of discussions, ideas and networks of cooperation through SARICON II as a foundation for the progress of state rice and rice industry.