10-05-2025
Sarawak pushes for agricultural modernisation to become net food exporter by 2030
Dr Abdul Rahman (sixth right) receives a memento from Tang, as others look on.
SIBU (May 10): Sarawak is intensifying efforts to modernise its agriculture sector with the goal of becoming a net food exporter by 2030.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the state's agricultural transformation is no longer an option, but a necessity and an opportunity to strengthen food security, while creating new economic wealth.
'Sarawak is investing heavily in agro-technology to boost productivity, sustainability, and market competitiveness,' he said in a speech delivered by his deputy Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail at the opening of the 2025 National Farmers Conference here today.
Among the key initiatives introduced were the development of modern agro-parks, aquaculture parks, the Sarawak Agrotechnology Park (SARTECH), and Precision Farming Parks.
According to Dr Rundi, the state government is also enhancing food value chains through the Collection, Processing and Packaging Centres (CPPC) and Agrofood Terminals.
'Traditional farming practices such as 'kais pagi makan pagi' (hand-to-mouth farming) must be left behind. Agriculture today is a business, not just subsistence,' he said.
The minister also stressed the need to leverage technology such as mechanisation, automation, smart farming, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics.
He said innovation must happen at every level, from farm to table to increase output, reduce wastage, and ensure sustainability.
'For the record, Sarawak recorded a food trade deficit of RM6.44 billion, importing RM7.62 billion worth of food while exporting only RM1.18 billion in 2024,' he said, adding that reducing this dependency on imports is a top priority.
Dr Rundi called on young entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to venture into agriculture, noting that the sector is no longer seen as 'dirty, difficult, and dangerous' (3D) but instead offers lucrative opportunities.
'Through strategic government-private sector collaboration and by strengthening initiatives like local seed production and biosecurity measures, Sarawak can position itself as a key food producer regionally and internationally,' he added.
The 2025 National Farmers Conference, held for the first time in Sarawak, attracted around 700 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Among those present were Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh; Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek; Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Joshua Ting Fu Ying; Federation of Vegetable Growers Associations national president Lim Ser Kwee; Sibu Vegetable Farmers Association president Tieu Kiu Sing; and the event's organising chairman Tang Liung Poh. agriculture net food exporter Stephen Rundi Utom
