Re-implement rice planting project — Daud

KOTA KINABALU: Bongawan assemblyman Dr Daud Yusuf urged the state government to reimplement rice planting project.

Speaking at the debate session of the State Assembly sitting on Monday, he said rice planting project had been done in the past and it should be re-implemented to ensure food security in the state.

“We have planted land with rice before but abandoned due to several factors. This must be resolved to ensure that the effort to become a rice producer is achieved. We should start this step as soon as possible, as we have a large area of paddy land, especially in Kota Belud which was previously proposed for the implementation of the Jelapang Padi Sabah project which has not yet been realized.

“Even Papar district has the same potential, as well as Bongawan, which had previously been one of the active areas for rice cultivation.

“In Bongawan, we have an area of approximately 300 hectares of paddy fields that have the potential to be developed and at the same time capable of producing up to thousands of metric tonnes per year,” he said.

Under the administration of the Warisan government, Daud said he personally ensured that half of the paddy fields were developed in collaboration with some parties, including private companies involving as many as 60 local farmers.

Through the allocation provided under the Sabah 2023 budget for the agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries sector amounting to RM501.54 million, Daud said it can be used to empower the development of rice fields to meet domestic demand, while reducing dependence on foreign rice exports. At the same time, Daud said it is also in preparation for any possible crisis with the expected world recession next year.

“What we have to do now is to identify the problems that cause many of our paddy fields to be abandoned and uncultivated which in my opinion is usually related to irrigation and drainage problems. All these need an immediate solution from the government through the relevant department or ministry. We must be prepared and make this effort a reality for the sake of the people, before it is too late,” he added.