Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

SABAH plays a crucial role in bolstering the nation’s rice self-sufficiency, thereby substantially contributing to the nation’s food security. The formulation of an action plan for Sabah rice production is indeed timely and essential. 

In light of the considerable importance of rice as a staple food and its rich cultural significance in Sabah, it is imperative to devise a comprehensive course of action to effectively tackle existing obstacles and capitalise on potential avenues for bolstering the rice sector in the region.

This strategic approach is essential in propelling advancements towards attaining the desired 60pc Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) in rice production, thereby making substantial contributions to national food security, and cultivating a robust and sustainable rice industry. 

The current situation in Sabah presents an opportunity to strategically execute a well-crafted action plan aimed at enhancing rice production, reducing dependence on rice imports, and establishing a resilient and self-reliant food system for the local population.

Self-sufficiency in rice production is an indicator that refers to the capacity of a given region to generate an adequate quantity of rice to fulfil its domestic consumption requirements, thereby minimising its dependence on imports.

In the context of Sabah, the state’s current SSL for rice stands at 22.8pc. This figure indicates a substantial reliance on imported rice to meet the local population’s food demands.

In order to address the existing disparity and bolster the state’s food security, the Sabah State Government has established the commendable objective of attaining 60pc SSL. 

This effort is essential for reducing Sabah’s reliance on imports and ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply.

Attaining the 60pc objective is crucial for Sabah because it provides a protective measure against the volatile nature of global rice markets and mitigates the risks associated with potential food shortages. 

The achievement is expected to have a substantial influence on strengthening the state’s comprehensive food security initiatives, ensuring a steady and dependable supply of rice while also enhancing the health and wealth of its population.

Challenges and Opportunities

The path towards attaining 60pc rice SSL in rice production is fraught with obstacles. Limited infrastructure, mechanisation, adoption of technology, and market access pose significant hurdles for Sabah’s rice farmers.

On the other hand, the agricultural policy of the state creates the potential for capitalising on local rice production, traditional rice varieties, good agricultural practises, and various government programmes, such as the state government’s Rice Crop Development Incentive Programme, which provides ploughing aid to the farmers, and the Federal Government, which supplies fertiliser subsidies with a value of RM1,901 per hectare. 

Another key initiative of the state government to boost rice cultivation and increase self-sufficiency in rice production involves collaborating with the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) to develop 11,000 hectares of land on the Dent Peninsula of Lahad Datu specifically for rice cultivation. 

The extensive land development in this region presents a valuable opportunity to expand rice production. Moreover, the discussions between the State government and Felda demonstrate a collaborative effort to pool resources and expertise to achieve common agricultural goals. 

During the recent Program Sentuhan Agro Madani, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, urged rice producers across the nation to collaborate in order to implement the five-season, two-year rice cultivation programme. This call demonstrates the government’s continuous commitment to increasing rice production and overall crop yields. 

The strategic initiative aims to enhance food security and reduce reliance on rice imports, which are essential goals for the nation’s agricultural resilience.

The provision of special financial assistance amounting to RM28,785,090 to the paddy sector demonstrates the federal government’s unwavering dedication to supporting rice farmers across the country. 

This financial aid is intended to bolster agricultural activities by empowering rice farmers with the necessary resources and opportunities to adopt modern farming techniques, invest in essential infrastructure, and enhance productivity. 

In addition, the Prime Minister mentioned Sabah’s proactive efforts in expanding rice cultivation areas, which demonstrate Sabah’s readiness to play a vital role in bolstering the nation’s self-sufficiency in rice production. 

The Right Time for an Action Plan

Thus, now is the right time for Sabah to craft its own action plan specifically tailored to strengthen the state’s rice production.

Sabah is in a position where it is opportune to take immediate action at this time because the Prime Minister has expressed an interest in seeing an increase in the agricultural productivity of the nation. 

The fact that national and state goals are in line with one another emphasises how vital it is to design a strategy that is aligned with the overarching objectives of the government.

Through concerted efforts and prompt implementation, Sabah can align its efforts with the larger national goal of achieving food security and lowering rice imports. Sabah could capitalise on the momentum to accelerate rice production and reach the target of 60pc SSL.

Current government initiatives in rice production in Sabah, especially the SBB Smart programme, have yielded promising results and demonstrate the government’s commitment to bolstering the region’s rice cultivation industry. 

The implementation of the programme in the Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) has resulted in substantial increases in rice productivity and quality.

The participation of forty farmers in the Jawi-Jawi Scheme, which is part of IADA, resulted in a remarkable increase in paddy yield. It was reported that the average rice yield per hectare increased from 2.6 to 4.15 tonnes per hectare, demonstrating the effectiveness of the SBB Smart programme in boosting productivity. 

The programme’s coverage expanded from 50 hectares in 2022 to 126.78 hectares in 2023, a remarkable increase of 153.6pc. The expansion of the SBB Smart programme is a clear reflection of the government’s persistent commitment to enhancing rice production in Sabah. 

A key indicator of the program’s effectiveness is its positive effect on the income of farmers. The incomes of the participating farmers have increased significantly. Prior to the programme, their earnings during the previous harvest season were approximately RM2,000.

However, with the introduction of the programme, their income has experienced a remarkable surge, reaching RM6,000. This significant increase in farmers’ income demonstrates the program’s efficacy in enhancing rice farmers’ livelihoods and financial well-being in Sabah.

The government’s prioritisation of rice production programmes like SBB Smart benefits farmers and regional food security and economic development. These efforts are crucial to meeting the state’s 60pc rice self-sufficiency goal and ensuring Sabah’s economic growth.

Despite the challenges posed by low rice self-sufficiency levels (SSLs) in Sabah and the declining trend in the planted paddy area, the government’s ongoing initiatives, such as the SBB Smart program, hold promise for enhancing rice production in the region.

In addition, the Khazanah Research Institute report suggests that Sabah could potentially explore the artisanal, premium rice segment by leveraging traditional and heirloom rice varieties. 

The potential diversification of the rice sector in Sabah presents an intriguing prospect, as it opens up avenues for the region to explore untapped niche markets and enhance the value proposition of its unique rice products.

Supporting Lembaga Padi Sabah (LPS) Revitalisation

The action plan document will play a pivotal role in supporting the revitalisation of Lembaga Padi Sabah (LPS) by providing a comprehensive roadmap and strategic framework for the transformation of the rice production sector.

It will serve as a blueprint to guide LPS in its efforts to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in implementing policies and programs related to rice cultivation in Sabah.

The Action Plan will identify key priority areas of focus for LPS revival. These key priority areas of focus will include boosting rice yields and enhancing research and development, both of which will help redirect resources towards achieving 60% rice SSL.

In addition to this, the document will include an outline of strategies for optimal resource allocation, which will enable LPS to invest in crucial areas in order to improve rice industry productivity and competitiveness.

In order to maximise the potential for growth in rice production, it is imperative for the state to capitalise on the current opportunity at hand.

This can be achieved through the formulation and implementation of a well-rounded and all-encompassing action plan.

Furthermore, it is crucial for the state to extend its support towards the revitalization of Lembaga Padi Sabah (LPS), as this will play a pivotal role in driving the desired advancements in rice production.

The journey to attaining Sabah’s goal of 60% rice self-sufficiency requires collaborative efforts and a well-designed action plan.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industries (Maffi), under the Third Sabah Agriculture Policy (2015-2024), lays a strong foundation for increasing paddy production. 

The potential for Sabah to enhance its agricultural growth and ensure food security for its population is significant.

Sabah is well-positioned to achieve its goal of being a self-sufficient and prosperous rice-producing region.

LPS has the potential to promote a thriving agricultural landscape through the implementation of the action plan, which will greatly contribute to the realisation of Sabah’s goal of achieving a rice self-sufficiency level of 60pc and will also boost the state’s food security and agricultural growth.