KUCHING, Oct 20: Only 11 per cent of Sarawak’s 9,900 hectares under existing paddy schemes is actively cultivated, while RM2.5 billion is needed to rehabilitate the infrastructure.
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the schemes managed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) could support the State’s target of achieving 60 per cent rice self-sufficiency by 2030.
He identified deteriorating infrastructure as a major obstacle, saying RM60 million was needed annually for maintenance to restore the schemes and expand cultivated areas.
“Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, 23 infrastructure projects covering approximately 2,997 hectares have been approved at a combined development cost of RM136.9 million.
