Sarawak targets rice self-sufficiency and forest conservation

The Sarawak government has outlined significant development goals regarding food security and environmental preservation. To reduce dependence on imported rice, the state requires an estimated RM2.5 billion to upgrade agricultural infrastructure. Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom noted that while existing irrigation and water reservoir infrastructure covers approximately 9,900 hectares, only 11 per cent of this area is currently utilized due to aging facilities. The investment aims to help the state reach a 60 per cent rice self-sufficiency level by 2030.

In terms of environmental management, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan stated that Sarawak is maintaining approximately 7.64 million hectares of forested areas, representing 62 per cent of the state's total area. This effort aligns with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). The state also reported that 1.54 million hectares of natural and plantation forests have received forest management certification. Furthermore, Sarawak plans to gazette five new land areas as Fully Protected Areas (TPA) by 2026, bringing the total land-based TPA to 879,478.28 hectares.