KUCHING: The Sarawak government has identified 30 acres of land in Lubok Punggor, Gedong to be used as a laboratory to conduct research on Biris rice.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the study will be conducted by Universiti Putra Malaysia and so far, the university has received the cooperation of local farmers.

“I have instructed the university to increase the production of paddy to three times the harvest in 18 months and we can also add value by producing Biris flour that can be used to make delicious and fragrant biscuits.

“Since the new technology will be used, we have identified a field laboratory of about 30 acres in Lubok Punggor for that purpose,” he said.

He said this at a press conference in conjunction with the Sarawak Premier Working Visit Program to Gedong District at the Project Site at Jalan Lubok Teranggas to Kampung Gedong and the Mini Isthmus Gedong Project Site on Saturday. 

According to Abang Johari, the Sarawak government has also collaborated with landowners in the area. 

“If the effort is successful, we will expand the use of smart agriculture through the research to other districts including Sri Aman,” he said.

According to him, the paddy industry needs to take advantage of smart agriculture and technology so that the state can increase rice production as a food security crop.

“In Malaysia, apart from Kedah, Sarawak can also be a major rice producer but to do so, we need to use new technologies and not just rely on the old ways.

“The old way depends on trust. But with the current technology, what is important is that we can increase the yield of paddy thus increasing the income of the farmers.

“Currently their average income is between RM1,500 and RM2,000 based on the current situation.

"If multiplied by three (harvests), their RM2,000 income is multiplied by three to RM6,000, in theory," said Abang Johari who is also the State Assemblyman (ADUN) of Gedong.

Credit to : Utusan Borneo

Date of Input: 25/01/2023 | Updated: 25/01/2023 | lanz