Malaysia : Sarawak must grow its own rice as US tariff hike could impact food supply, says Premier
Facing U.S. tariff hikes, Sarawak aims to reduce rice imports and boost local production. Premier Abang Johari targets 240,000 metric tonnes annually, citing successful high-yield pilot projects using modern farming. With 10,000 hectares identified for expansion, the initiative also supports rural incomes, ensuring food security and resilience amid global trade uncertainties.
KUCHING, April 12: The tariff hike announced by United States President Donald Trump, which sees tariffs reaching over 100 per cent, serves as a stern reminder that Sarawak must reduce its reliance on imported goods, especially rice. According to TVS, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that this has prompted the Sarawak government to intensify efforts to increase local rice production to safeguard the State’s food security.
He said Sarawak imports approximately 45,000 tonnes of rice each year, while only 20 per cent of the State’s rice needs are met through local production. “We have the land; we have the facilities. Why are we still importing rice? If the global economic instability continues and various tariffs are imposed, imports will be disrupted and we will face food shortages,” he said. He said this during a Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri programme organised by Anak Perantau Simanggang (APS) at Dewan Hikmah here today. The Premier said the government aims to produce at least 240,000 metric tonnes of rice annually, and a pilot project in Kampung Gedong with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has proven successful outcomes through the use of new technologies and modern farming methods. “In that project, we managed to produce nine metric tonnes of rice per season for every hectare, compared to only one tonne previously.
“The paddy can be harvested up to five seasons within two years, and around 10,000 hectares of land in areas such as Lingga, Banting, and Tanjung Bijat have been identified as strategic locations for the expansion of rice cultivation,” he said. Abang Johari also shared the success of a rice farming project in Kuala Rajang, where a company leased land from residents and managed to produce eight tonnes of rice, enabling the landowners to earn up to RM3,000 per month. “This means the land is not left idle. If that company doesn’t succeed, others can take over, but the landowners still earn income (through rental). This is among the initiatives and efforts we are implementing,” he said. On April 2, Trump announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs of 24 per cent on several countries—including Malaysia—in response to what he described as ‘global trade imbalances’. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that Putrajaya would send officials to Washington, DC, at the end of April to initiate dialogue over the tariffs. However, Trump later announced a 90-day postponement of the tariff implementation starting last Thursday, which Anwar described as a temporary relief for the country .
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Source : Dayak Daily
