KUCHING: The cultivation of hybrid rice varieties using technology capable of yielding crops up to five times within a two-year period can help lift farmers out of poverty.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the use of modern technology coupled with the rice cultivation study by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has the potential to increase farmers’ income by up to 60 per cent.
“The study conducted in Lubok Punggor, Gedong, by UPM in collaboration with local farmers has shown positive results by producing rice crops that can be harvested up to five times in 24 months.
“Therefore, if the technology used in the rice production here is continued, it will provide an additional income of 60 per cent to the farmers.
“The farmers’ income is expected to increase to RM6,400 per hectare per month,” he said in a press conference after chairing the Agrihub@Gedong Project Meeting at the Gedong Rest House today (Feb 3).
Abang Johari, who is also Gedong assemblyman, said if there are two hectares of cultivation, it will be over RM12,000, and reaching such a figure would place farmers in the middle or high-income group.
“Thus, as a result of the positive outcome, it is expected that the cultivation model implemented in Lubok Punggor would be expanded to other areas throughout Sarawak,” he said.
He added the paddy paddy cultivation project could assist Sarawak in achieving its Self-Sufficiency Level (SSR) in rice production.
“For the long term, I believe we can achieve self-sufficiency in rice production for Sarawak, around 240,000 tonnes.
“If we develop other areas, including the Limbang Valley, it means we will be able to produce rice for areas beyond Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari said in order for Sarawak to achieve the SSR target, agricultural infrastructure has to be developed first and the areas included Lubok Punggor, Banting, Lingga and Tanjung Purun as well as paddy cultivation using technology.
“Thus, the Sarawak government has allocated RM30 million to upgrade the irrigation and drainage systems in the paddy cultivation areas concerned.
“Plus, with the model in Lubok Punggor, we can estimate the initial cost of upgrading the irrigation system in other areas.
“This will allow rice production throughout Sarawak to increase and, in turn, increase farmers’ income as targeted,” he said.
