Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board to boost rice industry

THE Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development will establish the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board to spearhead and regulate the development of the rice industry.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the board will coordinate strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the whole supply chain of the rice industry.

“Prior to the establishment of the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board, my ministry will form a Paddy and Rice Task Force to be chaired by the State Secretary involving all relevant agencies.”

Dr Rundi said this when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (May 14).

On a related note, he said as a staple food, the adequacy of rice is very critical.

“In 2023, the total paddy production is about 118,000 metric tonnes or 32 per cent of self-sufficiency Level (SSL).”

He said in 2023, about 61,000 hectares of land was planted with paddy, of which 32,000 hectares is classified as wet paddy while the balance 29,000 hectares is mainly for hill paddy.

“Thus, to achieve 60 per cent SSL, Sarawak needs to produce approximately 236,000 metric tonnes of paddy which is equivalant to 142,000 metric tonnes of rice.”

He added that to achieve 100 per cent SSL, Sarawak needs a total of 17,500 hectares of new area equipped with tertiary infrastructure to produce approximately 392,000 metric tonnes of paddy, which is equivalent to 235,000 metric tonnes of rice by 2030.