Sarawak: Sarawak’s Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development has been allocated RM326 million under the state Budget 2026, as announced by its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. This allocation marks an increase of RM145 million compared to the previous year and aims to advance the state’s agriculture transformation agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Rundi Utom emphasized that this substantial investment is intended to modernize the agriculture sector through the adoption of digital technologies, encouraging private sector involvement, and developing a comprehensive supply chain. He highlighted the agriculture sector’s critical role in Sarawak’s economy, contributing RM15.1 billion to the state’s GDP in 2024 and providing employment to approximately 247,400 individuals.
Despite the sector’s positive growth, Dr Rundi stressed the need to enhance food production, particularly in rice, fruits, vegetables, fisheries, and livestock, to mitigate the food trade deficit and ensure food security. He noted the government’s intensified efforts to boost rice production, especially after the state’s self-sufficiency level in rice dropped to 21 percent in 2024, with further declines expected in 2025.
To address these challenges, the state government has initiated comprehensive reforms in commercial paddy development. These include new project development under the design-build-operate-transfer (DBOT) model, irrigation upgrades, and increased private sector participation. Approximately 15,000 hectares have been earmarked for large-scale paddy development in Tanjung Datu, Batu Danau, and Bukit Begunan, with 6,100 hectares already approved for implementation.
Dr Rundi also highlighted promising trial results from collaborative research on a high-yielding and resilient rice variety, which demonstrated a 30 percent higher yield compared to the control variety, MR297. This research was conducted in partnership with the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and three local universities in Stumbin, Sri Aman.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Sarawak Paddy and Rice Board has been endorsed by the state Cabinet. This board will act as the central authority to coordinate, regulate, and oversee all aspects of the paddy and rice industry in Sarawak, Dr Rundi added.