Sabah Padi Board may be revived
KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry is looking positively into the possibility of reviving the Sabah Padi Board.
Minister Junz Wong said a technical team would be set up to study and look at every aspect and views before any decision is made.
Junz added they will also look at the reasons and causes why the Sabah Padi Board was previously liquidated.
In responding to call for the reestablishment of the board, Junz said manpower requirement and financial capital are very important.
“I agree that the reestablishment of Sabah Padi Board which was dissolved in 1981 is an essential component of rural development and in uplifting the wellbeing of the padi farmers,” reiterated Junz.
Prior to the dissolution of the Sabah Padi Board, Sabah achieved 70% rice production and today its achievement is around 26%.
In view of the global environmental issues which may have detrimental effect on global rice production, there were several calls for re-establishment of the Sabah Padi Board as rice is a security commodity.
“In re-establishing Sabah Padi Board we have to look into many aspects. These may include production, processing, marketing and import of rice.
“As water is the most important component in rice production we have to refurbish and upgrade our irrigation system, if we are to set up the board,” stressed the minister.
“We may also have to look at new technology of rice production such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique, which is widely practised in Indonesia,” Junz mentioned.
Sabah’s existing padi areas are Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Papar, Tambunan and Keningau. There are other potential areas that can be developed like Sook, Trusan Sapi and Kinabatangan.
“One of the challenges should we reestablish the Sabah Padi Board is the land use and sizes and tenure system which must be addressed,” Junz added.