PREMIER Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the Sarawak Budget 2025 will allocate RM376.72 million to advance agricultural initiatives aimed at transforming and diversifying the state’s economy.
In his address at the second reading of the Sarawak Budget 2025 during the second meeting of the third session of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today, he outlined key allocations aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector.
A sum of RM6 million will be allocated to support the development of agro park infrastructure to attract private investment in commercial agriculture, with a focus on creating a robust supply chain for commodities such as pineapple, coconut, banana, durian, shrimp, fish, and cattle.
For the aquaculture sector, RM20.9 million will be used to upgrade the Loba Stoh Aquaculture Park in Rambungan to enhance shrimp production. And RM9.5 million will be allocated for an aquaculture park in Samariang Batu, Kuching, to support inland fisheries.
“To support shrimp production, RM20.9 million will be allocated to upgrade the Loba Stoh Aquaculture Park in Rambungan and for inland fisheries, RM9.5 million will be allocated to develop an aquaculture park in Samariang Batu,” he said.
An allocation of RM1 billion has been approved, with RM51 million earmarked in 2025 for the development of paddy infrastructure across several regions, including Stumbin Bijat, Lingga-Banting, Seduku, Gran and Entulang, Tanjung Purun, Lubok Punggor, Sundar, and Limbang.
An additional RM50 million will be allocated for land acquisition, specifically for the Tanjung Purun Paddy Scheme in Kuching. To achieve 100 per cent self-sufficiency in rice production, approximately 14,000 hectares have been designated for paddy cultivation across Sarawak.
In 2025, RM10.6 million will be used to establish cattle breeding farms in Kuching, Serian, and Betong, incorporating Artificial Insemination (AI) technology to enhance livestock production.
Meanwhile, RM41.6 million will be allocated to improve farm roads, drainage, and irrigation, and RM8 million will strengthen marketing for the Collection, Packaging, and Processing Centre (CPPC).
The budget also includes RM30.4 million for food crop development, RM5.9 million for inland fisheries, RM17.4 million for livestock, and RM7.9 million for agricultural training and mechanisation. To further enhance agricultural marketing efforts, RM10.9 million will be allocated for the State Farmers Organisation (SFO), with an additional RM4.6 million for the Area Farmer’s Organisation.
A sum of RM31 million is allocated for SARTECH Tarat in Serian and RM30 million for SARTECH Semenggok in Kuching, aimed at attracting global tech-based firms to Sarawak.
The budget also allocates RM60 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan for the development of Precision Farming Parks in Sg. Sebiew, Bintulu, and Kabuloh, Miri, with RM40 million earmarked for 2025.
To further promote modern farming, RM18 million of a total RM60 million will be dedicated to establishing a Metropolitan Food Cluster in Opar, modelled after the Netherlands. In addition, a sxum of RM1.22 million will go towards capacity-building programs for farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, and rural communities to enhance smart agriculture and ICT literacy.
For the support of agro-entrepreneurs, RM12.7 million will be allocated to the Sarawak Agro Fund to provide financing opportunities for local businesses in the agricultural sector.
With these allocations, the Sarawak government is positioning the agricultural sector as a key pillar in the state’s economic diversification strategy, focusing on sustainable growth, modernisation, and increased self-sufficiency.
