BINTULU: The Batang Lupar area will be developed as a large-scale paddy production centre like in Kedah.

To realize this, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg asked Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus to conduct a study to enable paddy in the Batang Lupar area to be produced three times a year.

The Chief Minister explained that the production of a lot of paddies every year can guarantee the security of paddy supply for Sarawak apart from being able to be exported to foreign countries such as Singapore.

“I understand that Bernas with the cooperation of several agencies, they have certain technology to produce this rice.

“The State Government wants to make Batang Lupar like Kedah as a paddy production centre under the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA).

"The State Government has provided funds by using high technology in paddy production," he said during a working visit to UPM Bintulu Campus on Friday.

According to the Chief Minister, a study will also be done in increasing paddy yields in upland areas such as Bario.

In the meantime, he also wants UPM Bintulu Campus to explore and develop the potential of nipah and sago products.

He said the State Government had agreed to set up the Nipah and Sago Development Board because it saw great potential in the two sources.

"I see we can produce a lot of apong sugar because we have a lot of nipah trees from Mukah to Kuching and from Lawas to Limbang," he said.

According to the Chief Minister, a company (Kin Hin) has signed an agreement at the Sarawak Singapore Office of Trade and Tourism (STATOS) to produce apong sugar for three years to be bought by Singapore.

He said a total of RM10 million had been allocated to provide prototypes to develop the sago-based gas production industry based in Kampung Teh, Mukah.

He added that a study should also be done to develop new species of coconut cultivation areas in the area of ​​soil erosion fortifications from Kampung Sebangan, Sebuyau to Tambirat.

According to him, he wants to develop the potential of agriculture in coastal areas such as Gedong, Simunjan, Asajaya, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau to Lingga.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of UPM, Prof. Dr Mohd. Roslan Sulaiman in his speech said UPMKB was very moved and excited after being appointed as the Forestry Research Hub in Sarawak.

According to him, he is confident that the UPMKB staff will be able to shoulder the responsibilities given to him with full dedication and hopes that the research results that will be obtained will be able to contribute to the development of forestry in the state.

He said the UPM Chancellor, His Majesty Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj also wanted UPM Bintulu Campus to be further developed in its potential to become a local agricultural hub and a major referral centre in the field of food security in Sarawak.

Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister officiated the International Conference On Forest Resources Management themed ‘Integrating Knowledge For Improvement’ at the Promenade Hotel Bintulu.

Also present at the ceremony was the Chairman of the UPM Board of Directors, His Highness Tengku Syarif Laksamana Perlis Dato 'Seri Diraja Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail. - UKAS EDITION

Date of Input: 13/12/2021 | Updated: 04/03/2024 | lanz