Opar poised to become rice granary

LUNDU: Opar constituency has the potential to become a rice granary in Kuching to help ensure food security in the state, said its assemblyman Billy Sujang.

In this regard, Billy said the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) has taken the initiative to develop an 800-hectare Paddy Planting Scheme in several localities in the Opar constituency.

“All of these schemes have been allocated RM3 million each and cover the scope of the construction of access roads, agricultural roads and irrigation systems of the scheme and will be implemented this year,” he said.

He said this during a work visit to the Paddy Planting Scheme project site here recently.

In the meantime, Billy together with several agency representatives from GKCDA, the Kuching Division Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Bau and Lundu District Agriculture Department visited four sites for the Paddy Planting Scheme in Kampung Jugan, Kampung Jangkar, Kampung Biawak and Kampung Sebako.

He said this scheme would benefit existing farmers in the locality by activating and revitalising rice planting activities.