TEBEDU: The government has implemented various initiatives in an effort to increase hill/huma padi production in Sabah and Sarawak by over 30 percent in annually or 100 per cent within a period of three years.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the projection was made based on the findings of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in Kampung Gahat near here and Sepadah in Sarawak between 2009 and 2012.
He said a total of RM2.2 billion had been allocated for the provision of subsidies and incentives to support the growth of padi and rice industries in the country. It included RM70 million specifically for hill/huma padi subsidy programmes on a total acreage of 71,000 hectares in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The subsidies, in the form of fertilisers and pesticides are expected to improve the social and economic progress of 15,000 farmers in Sabah and 61,000 farming households in Sarawak in line with the government’s objective to improve farmers’ incomes and ensure sufficient food supply in the country,” he said when launching a subsidy scheme for hill padi at Kampung Gahat Mawang, here today.
Hill/huma padi classified as a traditional variety, is found only in Sabah and Sarawak and cultivated once a year on the hill slopes using the slash-and-burn method.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government has allocated RM1.2 billion specifically for the setting up of four Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) in Pekan and Rompin, Pahang; Lahad Datu, Sabah and Batang Lupar under the 11th Malaysia Plan, with RM100 million allocated especially for this year.
He said the development of the four IADA would also increase rice production in the country in line with the government’s assurance to maintain adequate food supply.
“The four new IADA can also help the nation achieve self-sufficiency level target of 100 per cent by the year 2020, thereby reducing the country’s rice imports,” he said.
At the ceremony today, Ismail Sabri also launched the hill padi production technology manual and a book on hill padi, which provided information on hill padi cultivation practices.
The manual acts as a guide for hill padi farmers in obtaining maximum yield from their crops, besides helping agricultural officers and students in planning and managing hill padi cultivation.-Bernama