Sarawak safeguards land for paddy production

KUCHING: Sarawak is safeguarding land identified for paddy production from being converted to other crops as it seeks to secure sufficient areas for rice cultivation.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said about 10,000 hectares comprising state and smallholder land have been identified for paddy production.

He said the majority would comprise state land, with designated areas gazetted specifically for paddy cultivation.

“We do not want people to plant other crops, so we have to gazette it.

“They may plant small oil palm estates because that brings more money than rice. So, in order to avoid that and mitigate land use, we gazette it for paddy production.

“In other words, this is a guarantee of the availability of land, and then it is used for paddy cultivation,” he said.

He said this when officiating at the 2nd Sarawak Rice Conference (SARICON II) 2026 at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today (Oct 6).

Abang Johari said securing land for rice cultivation is important amid concerns over global food security and the reliability of rice imports.

“Food security is a global problem. Otherwise, we won’t have any rice.

“Malaysia has to be self-sufficient, and Sarawak wants to contribute to that self-sufficiency of rice because we have the land,” he stressed.

He said the government is also identifying suitable paddy varieties to raise productivity, with researchers and the Department of Agriculture involved in the effort.

Abang Johari said current production averages about 1.2 metric tonnes per hectare per season, while the state is targeting between eight and 12 metric tonnes per hectare per season.