Minister inspects Tg Purun padi project, highlights food security push

LUNDU (April 10): Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu visited the Tanjung Purun padi cultivation project site here, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to strengthening national food security and increasing Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency level.

He was accompanied by State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapa Sakmud; Advisor in Sarawak Premier’s Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development) Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom Ikom; Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin; Beting Maro assemblyman Datuk Razaili Gapor; as well as senior officials from both the federal and Sarawak governments.

According to a Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (M-Ficord), the Tanjung Purun project under the Tanjung Purun Irrigation Scheme has been identified as a strategic initiative to enhance rice production through modern, commercial-scale cultivation.

Spanning about 140 hectares, the site is being developed as a commercial padi area in Sarawak and is among 48 locations statewide earmarked for commercial rice cultivation with modern infrastructure up to tertiary level.

The project utilises modern inbred rice varieties as well as the hybrid GS-30 variety from China, aimed at boosting yields, improving grain quality and enhancing production efficiency.

In 2024, about 70 hectares of the area were planted with hybrid padi by Baja Engineering Sdn Bhd.

The initiative is expected to raise overall productivity at Tanjung Purun, while supporting efforts to reduce import dependence, increase farmers’ income and improve the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.

It is also seen as a potential model for commercial padi development in Sarawak, in line with national agenda to strengthen food security and stimulate rural economic growth through high-impact agriculture.

During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the project’s progress and performance, toured the padi fields and irrigation system, engaged with farmers and stakeholders, and took part in a symbolic rice-harvesting session.