Cultivate rice to boost Sarawak's food security, Dr Rundi tells NCR landowners

Borneo Post

18-07-2025

Dr Rundi visits one of the booths during the expo. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KOTA SAMARAHAN (July 18): Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners are being urged to participate in rice cultivation initiatives – whether on a small or large scale – as part of efforts to strengthen food security and reduce the heavy reliance on oil palm plantations.
Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said currently, almost 83 per cent of land designated for commodities is being used for oil palm cultivation due to its established supply chain and lucrative returns.
However, he cautioned that over-dependence on oil palm could jeopardise the state's food security, especially in times of crisis, such as war or disruptions in rice imports.
'We must always be prepared. That is why food security is important. Rice is our staple food. I urge farmers not to wait for large-scale projects.
'Even behind your homes, there may be one or two acres of land – use modern methods to plant rice for your own use. If there is a surplus, it can be sold,' he said.
He made these remarks when officiating the Agriculture Mini Expo 2025 organised by the Sarawak State Farmers Organisation (PPNS), held at the PPNS Hall here today.
Dr Rundi explained that rice cultivation can be done on a larger scale by mobilising villagers or longhouse communities to collectively work on their land and plant the same rice variety.
'If each person has three or four acres of land, when combined across an entire village or longhouse, it can amount to about 100 acres,' he said.
Dr Rundi also called on farmers to go further by adopting teamwork and collaborative approaches, similar to those practised by farming communities in Thailand.
According to him, Thai farmers have successfully developed agricultural products collectively without relying entirely on government assistance.
'Whatever they do – be it 'pandan' coconut, aquaculture, or others – they do it as a team. They would identify one product idea, and everyone in that area would produce it together. They don't depend on the government for support.
'This is in stark contrast to local farmers who tend to wait for assistance before initiating their own efforts.
'If we rely too heavily on aid, our spirit and commitment will never be as strong as those (in Thailand) who started on their own initiative,' he added.
Commenting on the expo, which runs until tomorrow, Dr Rundi described it as a crucial event in exposing farmers to new technologies, smart farming methods, and market access.
The expo brings together 45 exhibitors and features a variety of attractions such as local agricultural product exhibitions; modern farming demonstrations; knowledge-sharing sessions from agencies and successful entrepreneurs; sales of agro-food and rural products; and interactive community programmes.
The farming community are encouraged to take advantage of the expo and support PPNS' ongoing commitment to improving the socioeconomic status of its members.
The Agriculture Mini Expo 2025 is the first of its kind organised by PPNS, and is expected to open up more economic opportunities for agropreneurs, particularly in areas such as product development, access to financing, and market expansion.
The programme is also expected to grow into an annual highlight and contribute significantly to the development of the state's agri-food sector.
Among those present were Dr Rundi's deputy ministers Datuk Martin Ben and Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail who is also PPNS chairman; Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bujang; District officer Ahmad Abdul Razak; Sarawak Agriculture Department director Dominic Chunggat; and PPNS general manager Gom Raway. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom food security NCR landowners rice cultivation