Technical team to look into reviving Sabah Padi Board

Agriculture minister Junz Wong says land use and tenure, irrigation, new techniques and other factors will be considered.

Sabah agriculture minister Junz Wong says the state once achieved 70% self-sufficiecy in rice, but the level has dropped to about 26%. (Facebook pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A technical team is being set up to look into whether the Sabah Padi Board should be revived after almost 40 years.

State agriculture minister Junz Wong said the team would look at all aspects before any decision is made. It would also examine why the board was liquidated.

He agreed that the board could be an essential component of rural development and in uplifting the wellbeing of padi farmers. However, manpower and financial capital were important factors, he said.

“As water is the most important component in rice production, we have to refurbish and upgrade our irrigation system if we are to set up the board,” he said.

Land use, sizes and tenure system would also be examined, he said.

Wong said Sabah had achieved 70% self-sufficiency in rice production but the level had fallen to about 26%.

The team would also look into new technology such as intensive rice farming techniques widely practised in Indonesia.

Padi is mainly grown in Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Papar, Tambunan and Keningau. Potential areas could be developed in Sook, Trusan Sapi and Kinabatangan. -FMT