Sarawak strengthens food security in the face of climate change

KUCHING, 5 Oct: Sarawak is now strengthening food security and supply chain resilience to face possible disruptions in food production due to climate change and natural disasters.

Sarawak's Prime Minister, His Highness Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the matter is important given that climate change and food security are among the main challenges to be addressed in planning for Sarawak's economic future.

"The global issue that is also affecting the world economy and certainly affects Sarawak is food security.

"In a climate change situation that affects food production and is difficult to predict, we need to find solutions to ensure food supplies are available for the whole world", he said.

He said this while addressing a dinner on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Bumiputera Sarawak Business Council (DUBS) here, last night.

According to him, the disruption of food production in major producing countries due to disasters such as floods shows the importance of Sarawak increasing its own food production capacity.

"Our farmers need to be tech-savvy including drones, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture so that crop yields can be improved and food security issues addressed.

"If Pakistan can't export because of the floods, Vietnam can't either, at least we can meet our own needs.

"If there were more, we would export and Sarawak could be among the top rice exporters in the region with technology", he said.

Brother Johari said the Gedong rice planting project in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) for example has managed to produce up to eight hectares through the use of new technology.

At the same time, testing of new rice varieties in Baram with Yunnan University earlier also showed higher yield potential due to the crop's ability to regenerate after harvest.

The Sarawak government aims to develop about 14,000 hectares of rice crop area for the variety, including 8,000 hectares on government land.

Brother Johari said that modern agricultural development relies on important technologies to increase yields and strengthen Sarawak's food security, including meeting regional market demand.