Rice Heritage Festival promotes unique varieties to public, supporting local farmers

Sharzede (blue shirt) visiting the vendor market at the Rice Heritage Festival, accompanied by festival director Marian Chin.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 4: The inaugural Rice Heritage Festival highlighted the varieties of local rice in support of local rice farmers by bringing forward many unique varieties that remain largely unknown to the public.

“Through this festival, we aim to raise awareness of these varieties, thereby increasing appreciation for our local produce and, ultimately, supporting the livelihoods of our rice farming communities.

“This initiative holds the potential to develop into a sustainable tourism product that appeals to families, culinary enthusiasts, and cultural explorers alike,” said Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chief executive officer Sharzede Askor Salleh in a press statement today.

Held from September 27-29, the festival was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak and organised by WhatMatters with Kelab Rekreasi Pengguna & Pengurusan Dewan Serbaguna Kpg Tematu in collaboration with the Kuching City South Council (MBKS), Kuching Creative City, and Sabah Cultural Board.

Sharzede (blue shirt) and Marian (front) during a walkabout at the vendor market during the Rice Heritage Festival.

Meanwhile, acknowledging the importance of this initiative by Sabah Sarawak Labuan Joint Tourism Collaboration and Cooperation Heritage Committee, Sharzede said it was to explore opportunities to expand the scope of the festival, including inviting participation from ASEAN neighbours.

She said it would create a broader platform for cultural exchange and cross-border tourism development.

“The festival also aligns perfectly with Sarawak’s tourism pillars—Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festivals (CANFF), and it is through these pillars that we promote the essence of Sarawak to the world,” she added. — DayakDaily