EXCHANGE MoU between the Sarawak government and UPM for research related to efforts to increase rice production in Kuching today.

KUCHING: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) was appointed to conduct research on efforts to increase rice production in Sarawak.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government had allocated a total of RM3 million for the effort by targeting triple withdrawals by 2024.

“We have quality rice, which is Bario rice, so we want to brand it for both domestic and international markets. Right now, we are very dependent on rice from Thailand, if something happens there that involves rice production, our rice supply will be affected.

“So, this research is very important, and Sarawak is now in the process of increasing the production of this commodity using modern technology,” he said at the Opening Ceremony of the Sarawak-Dutch Food Safety Workshop at the Pullman hotel here today.

According to Abang Johari, if the research is successful, the same place will be implemented for the cultivation of other plants.

In addition, Abang Johari also identified three weaknesses of the agricultural sector in Sarawak including the use of modern eco-friendly technology in the agriculture sector, land, and crop management as well as seed production as well as nursery management.

“If we can overcome these three problems, Sarawak can be one of the key players to overcome the food safety problem in the region.

“I hope this workshop will be a platform to come up with a new approach to our food industry,” he said.

At the same time, he is optimistic that Sarawak has many talented individuals who can be trained to produce high-quality food for a population of over three billion that can be exported through flights that take only six hours.

The workshop became a platform for the participants consisting of farmers to learn and implement the use of modern technology from the Netherlands into their agriculture.

Kredit kepada : UTUSAN

Date of Input: 19/01/2023 | Updated: 25/01/2023 | lanz