KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) is expected to increase to 60 per cent by 2030 with the revival of Sabah Padi Board.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) was currently in the process of reviving the Sabah Padi Board.
"Currently, Sabah's rice SSL is at 22 per cent while 78 per cent of the state's rice needs are met through imported rice from countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand and Pakistan.
"We hope that with the revival of the Sabah Padi Board, it could increase Sabah's rice SSL and reduce imported rice," he said when officiating state-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen Day Celebration at Wisma Pertanian here.
Hajiji's speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I who is also the state MAFFI minister, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan.
According to Hajiji, the area for paddy fields is getting smaller because it has been used for housing development and commercial stores.
"To address this issue, the government has explored new rice planting in Trusan Sapi, Beluran covering an area of approximately 2,000 acres.
"It has been developed by MAFFI and its agencies – the Rural Development Corporation (KPD), Department of Agriculture and Department of Irrigation and Drainage with the involvement of the private sector and the residents of Trusan Sapi as participants in rice cultivation," he said.
On another note, Hajiji said that Sabah government had also established a special Cabinet committee to deal with the SSL issue for the food production sector in the state
"I am proud of the persistent efforts from Maffi and its agencies as well as the federal government agencies to boost SSL production of all types of food in the state," he said.
Commenting further, Hajiji said, the government always strived to ensure sufficient food supply in addition to producing more high-value agricultural products for commercial purposes that could stimulate the growth of the agricultural sector.
Hajiji also hoped farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen would play their part in contributing to the economic development of the state.
"Farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen should be more innovative, improve their expertise and work harder in seizing investment opportunities in the growing agricultural sector.
"To achieve this, we must be open to new and up-to-date ideas and information and be able to adapt it according to the situation and time. We must become farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen who know everything," he said.
Meanwhile, on India's decision to limit its rice exports to other countries, Jefrrey in a press conference said that the government was doing its best to reduce rice dependency from other countries.
"India is indeed one of the sources we import our rice from, including Pakistan, Vietnam, and other countries. Since India has limited its exports, we will look for other sources (rice producers) because imported rice is cheaper than our production.
"However, we do not want to depend too much on imports. We are looking for a way to increase our SSL because it is too low and our target is to increase the level to 60 per cent in 2030.
"Among the programmes we are currently doing to increase productivity are expanding the crops, multiplying the planting, and we are also looking to modernise agriculture," he said, adding that the issue of rice price increase might not arise.