Latest news with #SarawakAgrotechnologyPark
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
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
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak committed to becoming net food exporter by 2030
SIBU: Sarawak is committed to transforming the agricultural sector towards a more modern and competitive direction in efforts to achieve the status of a net food exporter by 2030. Its deputy minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said last year the state recorded a food trade deficit of RM6.44 billion, with import values reaching RM7.62 billion compared to exports of only RM1.18 billion. 'This clearly shows that Sarawak is highly dependent on imported food. Therefore, it is time for us to rise as the main food producers of the nation,' he said while officiating the National Farmers' Conference 2025 here today. He was representing Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at the event organised by the Sibu Vegetable Planters Association. According to Dr Abdul Rahman, various challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rising logistics costs are putting significant pressure on the global and regional food systems. To address these challenges, he said the Sarawak government has outlined several key initiatives including the development of agro and aquaculture parks; the Sarawak Agrotechnology Park (SARTECH) and Precision Farming Park; the construction of Collection, Processing and Packaging Centres (CPPC) and agrofood terminals; improvements to irrigation and drainage infrastructure for commercial rice planting projects; the development of a local seed industry; and the implementation of stricter biosecurity controls. He urged greater involvement of more young people and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector, especially with the use of modern technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), mechanisation and automation. 'Agriculture is no longer a 3D job (dirty, dangerous and difficult). It is now a professional career with the potential to generate substantial income,' he said while urging for strengthened strategic collaboration between the government and private sector to accelerate the process of agricultural transformation in Sarawak. Earlier, he expressed his appreciation to the Sibu Vegetable Planters Association for organising the conference, which was the first of its kind held in Sarawak, successfully attracting over 700 participants from the rest of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. 'This conference serves as an important platform for experts and agricultural entrepreneurs to share knowledge and formulate strategies towards more sustainable and competitive agriculture,' he added.
