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Daily Express

Chamber backs making Padi Bukit popular

Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 Text Size: Brian (left) and Padi Bukit (right) is a hidden gem of Sabah's agriculture sector. (Pic: Lano Tan via Berita Harian) Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCC) Sabah has pledged full support to government efforts in commercialising Padi Bukit, a traditional highland rice variety with significant cultural and economic potential. Led by President Datuk Dexter Lau, MCCC Sabah announced its commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry and Lembaga Padi dan Beras Sabah (LPBS) in transforming the traditional crop into a competitive agricultural product. Trade Affairs official Brian Ho Joon Chuan described Padi Bukit as a hidden gem of Sabah's agriculture sector, pointing out the opportunity to integrate modern business approaches with traditional farming practices while preserving rural community heritage. The chamber outlined comprehensive support spanning product development, branding, innovative packaging and marketing campaigns to elevate Padi Bukit's market profile. Through its business network connections, MCCC Sabah aims to secure strategic partnerships placing Padi Bukit products in mainstream supermarkets, organic specialty stores and retail platforms. To address logistical challenges faced by small-scale producers, the Chamber will assist LPBS in coordinating efficient supply chain strategies, connecting farmer cooperatives with transporters, warehousing solutions and retail distributors to improve goods flow from remote agricultural areas to urban markets. Advertisement Internationally, MCCC Sabah is exploring opportunities to introduce Padi Bukit to overseas markets through its network of business partners and importers, particularly in China and Asean countries. The Chamber expressed openness to long-term collaboration with LPBS and federal trade agencies for export readiness in Middle Eastern, European and North American markets, where consumer interest in sustainable, heritage-based food products continues growing. 'These combined efforts reflect MCCC Sabah's commitment to being more than a trade association but a true partner to government initiatives that aim to empower rural communities, preserve traditional agricultural knowledge and enhance Malaysia's reputation as a producer of high-quality, culturally rich agricultural products,' Brian said. The initiative aligns with national agendas of food security, rural revitalisation and sustainable agriculture, positioning Padi Bukit as a potential flagship agri-product for both domestic and global markets through public-private sector collaboration. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia