Sarawak targets rice adequacy level of 60 percent by 2030

KUCHING, 6 Oct: Sarawak aims to increase the state's rice adequacy level from about 21 percent in 2024 to 60 percent by 2030 through a more modern, resilient and commercially oriented rice sector transformation.

The Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said that achieving the targets requires a comprehensive approach which includes expansion of cultivation area, land management, mechanization, local seed production as well as private sector involvement.

"Sarawak's rice adequacy rate is about 21 percent by 2024. Our goal is to increase it to 60 percent by 2030", he said.

He said this in the text of a speech read by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development of Sarawak, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail at the Inaugural Meeting of 2nd Sarawak Priestly Conference (SARICON II) 2026 here today.

He said that among the main challenges to be addressed are insufficient irrigation and drainage systems, small and fragmented fields, labour shortages and increasing ageing of farmers.

He said the increasing production costs also put pressure on entrepreneurs, in addition to the need for better access to quality seeds, machinery, technical support as well as harvesting, drying and manufacturing facilities.

"Innovation is essential to overcome these challenges.

"History has shown that innovative communities can contribute to the development and prosperity of their countries by making knowledge and ideas a practical solution", he said.

In an effort to expand commercial rice production, a total of 48 potential areas covering about 14,000 hectares have been identified for large-scale rice cultivation development.

However, he said that the development of the area will be implemented in phases following large funding needs to provide irrigation system, drainage and support facilities.