By Aziz Idris

Bandar Seri Begawan – The Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources through the Agricultural Department has selected Temburong District to be the main producer of rice for Brunei Darussalam.

In light of this, key plans have been established to ensure that Temburong will be able to carry out the necessary projects that will supplement various types of quality hybrid paddies.

This observation was made by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, during the launch of the “Towards Self-Sufficiency in Rice Production in Brunei Darussalam” campaign at Kampong Perdayan Paddy Field in Temburong yesterday.

According to the minister, Temburong’s paddy production for 2007/2008 topped 443.55 metric tonnes i.e. 32 per cent of the nation’s paddy production.

Eight areas have been identified as the main areas for paddy plantation in the district, where Kampong Perdayan is the largest area that produces 118.09 metric tonnes.

It was learnt that areas in Lekiun / Perdayan Paddy Field, which currently occupies 300 hectares, will be expanded to 700 hectares. Paddy fields in Senukoh and Selapon will also be expanded to 80 and 150 hectares respectively.

This expansion will boost the productivity of rice production by introducing the annual double cropping system.

The minister revealed that that Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources is currently implementing a strategy that would boost rice production in the country by getting local farmers involved with new farming practices.

“This will involve opening up areas on a massive scale to elevate the number of required areas as planned through the short-term and mid-term plan,” he said.

According to Awg Janlita Anak Minggan, the Village Head of Kampong Tanjong Bungar, there are currently 288 farmers covering an area of 305 hectares in the district.

Awg Janlita, who spoke on behalf of paddy farmers in Temburong, also highlighted various issues that need to be ironed out such as the need to upgrade the drainage and irrigation system and to speed up the construction of the paddy store in the district. He said that these were important to make the new paddy scheme a success. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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