GEDONG: The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) will be divided into two specialised units by the end of this year to accelerate Sarawak’s goal towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and potentially exporting excess rice by 2030.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the restructuring would streamline operations, with one unit under Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government focusing on urban drainage and flood mitigation, and another unit under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (M-FICORD) dedicated to agricultural irrigation and drainage.
“I have instructed the State Secretary to implement this within this year. The urban DID unit under Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian will handle city drainage issues, such as flood prevention in Kuching.
“Separating these functions allows for more focused efforts, especially given the complexities of managing both urban and agricultural needs,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after launching the Projek Rakyat Mid Sadong 1 (Lubuk Punggor), Samarahan Division here. Friday (Nov 29).
When asked about allocation for the DID, he assured that the government would provide a special budget for agricultural development.
“I have announced RM1 billion for this purpose, starting with RM30 million for the initial 54-hectare phase of our paddy transformation project in Lubuk Punggor. Extending the project to 500 hectares will require around RM100 million.
“Funds will be allocated to M-FICORD to establish the agricultural-focused DID unit. Financing is not an issue, as I ensure that the allocated budget benefits the people directly. The current RM30 million for the initial phase demonstrates this commitment,” he added.
Abang Johari, who is also the Gedong assemblyman, said the agricultural development initiative will also include revitalising coconut and pineapple cultivation.
“We will replace 100 hectares of old coconut trees with high-yielding varieties, and a similar effort will take place in Sebangan area. Pineapple cultivation will also be developed in coastal areas,” he said.
He said these three crops, paddy, coconut, and pineapple, will anchor Sarawak’s agro-industrial strategy, driving downstream industries such as rice flour production.
“Other crops can still be grown as supplementary activities, but to get the industry working, these are the three main crop that can go downstream. These three main crops will form the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy,” he said.
Also present were Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, and State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki.
