Kota Kinabalu: The Large-Scale Rice Field Smart Programme (Smart SBB) Ala Sekinchan is now being extended to Kg Kesapang Tengah, Kota Belud, involving 181 local farmers.
Chairman of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, said Sabah rice granary programme, covering an area of 187,000 hectares, increased production to 4.2 tonnes per hectare, compared to the previous production of about 2.6 tonnes per hectare.
“Smart SBB Ala Sekinchan is a new model that applies high-yield farming practices aimed at increasing rice farmers’ income through optimal rice cultivation techniques and targeted production through group area development.
“The Smart SBB pilot project, part of Kota Belud’s Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA), began in Kampung Jawi-Jawi, involving 14 rice farmers and reclaiming 40 hectares of abandoned land.
“Bernas serves as the project manager, providing services and supervising fertiliser and pesticide use under contract farming agreements with the rice farmers,” she said to the Media after a courtesy call to the Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, recently.
She also said Smart SBB Ala Sekinchan Bernas-IADA Kota Belud initiative will be launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Muhamad Sabu, on July 13, coinciding with the Paddy Wave Programme.
Also present were Bernas Group Chief Executive Officer, Zulkiflee Abdul Rahman and Bernas Head of Upstream Activities and Concession Division, Abdul Rahman Mohd Nasri.
