SARAWAK imported food products from foreign countries to the tune of a worrying RM7.62 billion last year, said Minister for Food Industries, Agriculture Modernisation and Commodities Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom.
This marks an increase of about RM3 billion compared to the previous year.
"Our food import bill has reached very worrying levels because we cannot produce enough rice, vegetables and meat products in Sarawak.
"The soaring demand and high prices saw Sarawak having to spend RM 7.62 billion to import food in 2024, compared to RM4.65 billion in 2023.
"Our food export to other countries last year was only RM 1.18 billion.
"The increase in food import, in particular rice and vegetables is soaring year by year," he said at the National Farmers Conference in Kuching.
He said the state was spending a lot of money to import food because the state’s level of self-sufficiency for rice is only at 34 percent and 37 percent for vegetables.
"The bulk of Sarawak's needs for rice and vegetables have to come from overseas.
"My ministry is adopting numerous strategies to produce more local food to ensure our security.
"The use of more efficient technology to increase production is a must and we cannot plant based on sustenance only," he said.
He called on the younger generation to venture into modern agriculture.
The young must not look at agriculture as jobs that are dirty, tough and painful, he said.
"Agriculture is a big earner if modernised and use of advanced technology plays the key role in planting, growing and harvesting as being done in developed countries," he said.
Sarawak wants to be a food exporter by 2030, he said.
"Our aim is to drastically cut down the import bill by raising local productions.
"This will enhance our food security, turn food items into a key Gross Domestic Product contributor and make Sarawak a food exporter by 2030," he added.
Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, has a population of about three million. – May 11, 2025
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