Jamawi: Reviving idle paddy fields, upgrading irrigation systems among Sabah govt’s efforts to increase rice self-sufficiency

TELUPID (April 10): Sabah is focussing on upgrading irrigation systems and reviving idle paddy fields to raise its rice self-sufficiency level (SSL).

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said this followed an engagement session to finalise the design concept for the construction and upgrading of irrigation and drainage infrastructure at the Trusan Sapi Irrigation Scheme here on Wednesday.

The session brought together farmers, officials from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, as well as a delegation from the Ministry of Economy led by its Agriculture Division director-general Datuk Zul Hadi Awang.

“If we can develop about 4,000ha of idle paddy fields, it could increase the SSL by at least 20 per cent,” he told reporters.

He said the development of approximately 3,000ha in Trusan Sapi alone could contribute an additional 10 per cent increase in SSL, provided irrigation infrastructure is enhanced.

Beyond infrastructure, he stressed the importance of agricultural mechanisation and expanding rice milling capacity to support future production increases.

A day prior to the session, Jamawi also visited the Bantayan Poultry Farm in Tamparuli, operated by the Sabah Veterinary Services Department.

The visit aimed to observe livestock such as layer chickens, crossbred village chickens, guinea fowl, quails, and turkeys as part of efforts to meet community needs, particularly under the ‘Kebun Dapur’ outreach programme.

He also visited FarmBay in Tuaran, which specialises in rearing ducks and layer quails.