Sarawak aims to produce its own branded rice

BINTULU, Sept. 28: Sarawak aims to produce its own branded rice through research and development of healthier varieties.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the effort was important to produce rice with a lower kanji content, thus providing better food choices in terms of health.

According to him, the development of rice has the potential to create a local brand that can be marketed not only in Malaysia but also internationally.

"We're trying to produce healthy rice, rice that doesn't have a lot of kanji.

"If we have rice in the neighborhood, it means that we can produce healthy food.

"If this happens, we have our own brand and the whole world feels comfortable with this brand", he said.

He said this at a press conference after the inauguration of Sarawak Agrofest 2026 at Bintulu Old Airport, here today.

In addition Brother Johari, a laboratory will be developed in Kuala Baram to conduct rice seed research in collaboration with Yunnan University and local scientists.

He said the cultivated rice seeds will be tested in pioneer areas first to ensure their suitability before being expanded to identified rice crop areas.

He said that large-scale rice production also has the potential to generate surplus supplies for foreign markets after local and Malaysian needs are met.

According to him, the development of the added value rice products is part of Sarawak's efforts to strengthen the food industry and reduce dependence on external supplies. - TVS