SABAH WOULD improve immensely on rice production sufficiency if Putrajaya returns some 11,000 hectares of land at Tunku in Lahad Datu district now held by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), said Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau-GRS).
Jeffrey, who is Sabah’s deputy chief minister heading the agriculture, fisheries and food industries ministerial portfolio, said the state government is in the midst of requesting the return of the land now cultivated with oil palm.
“This land is suitable for rice cultivation. I understand that Felda has no objections (in returning the land), and it only requires the federal government decision.
“If planted twice a year, Sabah SSL rice production could increase from 22.8% to 37%, as Sabah's paddy fields currently cover only 24,000 hectares, including 7,000 hectares of K3 fields without irrigation, relying on rainwater for one season of cultivation per year,” he said in his debate on the Yang diPertuan Agong’s address in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this week.
Sabah aims to hit 60% rice self-sufficiency by 2030 and the move includes the proposed development of rice fields in Tunku.
The state’s current rice production sufficiency stands at 23%, which has left it to rely heavily on imports from Thailand, Vietnam and India to meet consumption for decades.
Jeffrey also requested Putrajaya to return the supervisory authority over rice and paddy back to Sabah as the state will soon re-establish the Sabah Rice and Paddy Board.
He also wants Putrajaya to allocate sufficient funds to assist Sabah to achieve this goal.
Towards this end, Jeffrey said Sabah wants to be given 40 drones at a cost of RM20 million to help in rice cultivation.
He also said Sabah wants RM3 million to improve its sufficiency on ruminant meat, which currently stands at 10%. – The Vibes, March 9, 2024
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