KOTA MARUDU: The State Government is targeting at least 1,000 hectares of paddy cultivation in Terusan Sapi this year as part of efforts to increase Sabah’s rice self-sufficiency level (SSL).
State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the target could be achieved with the State Government’s commitment to strengthen the irrigation system in the area.
According to him, the development of paddy fields in Terusan Sapi has shown positive progress, with the cultivation area increasing from 400 hectares previously to 800 hectares within just two months.
“In February, I visited the site and at that time only about 400 hectares had been planted with paddy. I then set a target for the area to be doubled within two months.
When I returned in April, the cultivated area had increased to 800 hectares, and I believe there is still more land that can be developed,” he said after a working visit to the EMAT Grain Corn Plantation Project, here, on May 26.
Jamawi said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) had received an allocation of RM50 million from the Ministry of Economy this year to develop the irrigation system in Terusan Sapi.
He said the project is expected to irrigate an additional 1,000 hectares of paddy fields, further strengthening Sabah’s rice production.
“If this irrigation system is fully implemented, it will help open up more cultivation areas and subsequently improve Sabah’s rice SSL,” he said.
Jamawi added that besides Terusan Sapi, both Kota Marudu and Kota Belud have strong potential to be developed as rice-producing areas, with each district still having around 3,000 hectares of abandoned paddy fields.
He said visits to two paddy cultivation areas in Kota Marudu revealed positive cooperation between private companies and villagers in developing the agriculture sector.
“We visited two areas in the district, each managed by companies working together with farmers on 50-hectare and 100-hectare paddy cultivation projects, respectively.
“Both areas are currently in the harvesting season and the farmers have responded positively to the projects implemented. However, there are still several aspects that need improvement, particularly concerning farmers’ welfare and agreements between developers and farmers,” he said.
Jamawi said the Ministry also inspected a paddy cultivation project operated by Sawit Kinabalu, which currently manages about 200 hectares of paddy fields as part of efforts to improve Sabah’s rice SSL.
He noted that although Sawit Kinabalu is better known for the palm oil industry, the company is also playing its role in helping the Government boost rice production.
Jamawi also took the opportunity to visit rice mills, including one owned by Wawasan Maju, which previously had the capacity to process up to 100 tonnes of paddy daily to meet local demand.
However, he said it was understood that following the Covid-19 pandemic, production had declined to only about 2,000 tonnes annually compared to 6,000 tonnes in the previous year due to abandoned paddy fields and unresolved irrigation issues.
Jamawi said the Ministry would continue conducting site visits to identify on-ground problems and seek immediate solutions, including reviewing the need for policy changes.
He also proposed that areas previously excluded from government subsidies and incentives despite being actively cultivated, including projects operated by Sawit Kinabalu, be considered for recognition as mini rice granary areas.
“I have recommended to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary that potential areas previously ineligible for subsidies be upgraded as mini rice granaries.
“On June 9, the Permanent Secretary will hold further discussions with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security to ensure this potential can be fully developed,” he said.
