Modern tech among 3 key elements to transform food sector

KUCHING: Sarawak is stressing three key elements to promote and transform the food sector to ensure food security.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the key elements are the use of modern technology, upgrading the infrastructure and having market access.

“Agriculture is often associated with hardship – where a person carries a hoe and wears a hat. This is seen as a symbol of poverty,

“So, the sector is very much associated with poverty. Therefore, what we have to do now is to change that perception.

“What the Sarawak government has done is transform the image of agriculture. It is no longer about hardship and poverty; it is about agricultural entrepreneurship.

“If you want to transform the entire agricultural process, it is crucial to use machinery, including Internet of Things (IoT) and digital production processes,” he said.

He said this at the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS) 2024 closing ceremony held at Parkcity Everly Hotel here in Bintulu today.

Abang Johari, who is the Gedong assemblyman, added that Sarawak is blessed with abundant rivers whereby with the use of hydro pumps, it could generate electricity.

“At the same time, excess water can be used for irrigation. So this is dual purpose.

“And for paddy cultivation, we need water, and this is where the irrigation system comes in and it requires a lot of money,” he said.

He added Sarawak has identified an area of 3,000 hectares for rice cultivation where under phase one, the area covers Tanjung Bijat, Stumbin, and Lingga in Sri Aman, Gedong and Simunjan as well as Lundu.

“Sarawak is huge, and we need a lot of irrigation systems for this rice cultivation project. I told the federal government that we go for one-to-one. If the development cost RM1 billion, then Sarawak provides RM500 million and the remaining is to be given by the federal government.

“I am happy to say that Sarawak has the funds available for that RM500 million. We cannot wait for Putrajaya, because this is urgent.

“So, we have allocated RM500 million to develop the mentioned areas, with an initial allocation of RM32 million already disbursed for Gedong, and subsequently, we will also improve irrigation and systems in Sri Aman, Lingga, Tanjung Bijat, and Lundu,” he said.

Abang Johari also hoped that the rice cultivation project in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB) in Gedong will be a success.

“If your rice cultivation model in Gedong can achieve eight tonnes of rice per hectare, then if you multiply it by 3,000 hectares and multiply by five growing seasons, then the production of rice is there.

“I have calculated, it is 240,000 tonnes of rice based on five seasons in 24 months, and at eight tonnes per hectare.

“Then it will be sufficient for rice production and we do not need to import anymore. With surplus, we can also share it with Peninsular Malaysia,” he said.

He said the Sarawak government is prepared to invest more money to achieve its rice production goals.

The Premier also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak Department of Agriculture represented by its director Dominic Chunggat, and UPM represented by the vice chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah.

The collaboration marks a new chapter in agricultural excellence and innovation, thereby opening avenues for future progress that will benefit local communities and other stakeholders.