BETONG: Modern technology, rather than traditional methods, is key to increasing padi yields for rural farmers, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at the PBB Betong zone triennial delegates convention (TDC) today.
He said that using machinery for field plowing and planting quality seeds is essential for boosting yields and improving farmers' livelihoods.
"I recently visited a commercial padi farm in Bintangor where yields reached nine tonnes per hectare, with five harvesting seasons in two years," he shared.
The Premier said that modern technology has already been implemented in Lubok Punggor in his Gedong state constituency, while the traditional method yields only about one tonne per hectare annually.
Abang Johari also highlighted that the state government has identified lands in Stumbin-Lingga (Seri Aman), Gedong-Simunjan (Samarahan), Spaoh (Betong), and Lundu (Kuching) for large-scale paddy cultivation, with 14,000ha across these areas suitable for paddy farming.
He hopes these areas will help the state produce 240,000 tonnes of rice, meeting local demand and potentially generating a surplus for export.
The Premier also announced a special RM1 billion allocation for a padi infrastructure development programme, with RM46 million earmarked for upgrading drainage and irrigation in Lubok Punggor, Samarahan.
The Ministry of Food Industries, Commodities, and Regional Development is promoting the planting of certified high-quality padi seeds to boost yields across the 14,000ha of commercial padi cultivation.
Present at the TDC were party deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, senior vice president Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundie Utom, and secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi. - NST
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