BRUNEIAN farmers will be taught and trained in modern farming methods in a bid to increase rice production, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) yesterday said.
The training course, a collaboration effort between the Ministry’s Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, and the Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) began on November 26 and will end on December 23.
The “Training of Trainers (TOT) Course in Rice Production” being held at the Ministry’s building was officially opened yesterday and is being undertaken by 35 participants from Agricultural Extension Staff (AES) nationwide including other relevant Agriculture and Agrifood officers as well as staff of Wasan Vocational School.
After the course, the trainers will then transfer their skills to the farmers.
MIPR Deputy Permanent Secretary Pg Hjh Mariana Pg Dipa Negara Laila Pg Hj Abdul Momin said in her speech that as the Sultanate was gearing towards achieving a greater self-sufficiency level, it was noted that the government was currently facing several challenging tasks including getting farmers who are accustomed to traditional and conventional farming to adopt modern and mechanised means.
Pg Hjh Mariana said that among other challenges identified after a review on the Ministry’s strategic planning conducted recently, were the opening up of new areas and introduction of new rice varieties and technologies, all of which demand concerted efforts from all relevant government agencies as well as a change in the mindset of the farmers.
She said that the transformation from traditional and conventional way of padi planting to a modern and mechanised farming requires a transfer of technology and skills to the farmers.
“To add up to the complexity, the adaptation of new varieties to the local condition itself may require some time before we would actually realise the optimal yield of those new rice varieties,” she said.
She explained that the transfer of technology in rice production to the farmers demand highly committed, effective and innovative extension workers.
The deputy permanent secretary said that currently the department played a central role towards the empowerment of farmers to produce progressive, productive and successful farming communities who are knowledgeable in various areas of farming and agriculture.
“Human resource capacity building enhancement is crucial in our effort at moving up to more advanced production processes and techniques,” she said.
Aside from training the farmers, the government has also been procuring new farm machineries.
Brunei has recently acquired 50 units of agricultural equipment to replace the manual system currently being used in a bid to reduce costs and improve rice production in the Sultanate.
These machines are expected to improve in hardening soft soil compared to the older models currently being used.
In 2008, the value of rice import amounted to $56.2 million, an increase of 35 per cent over the previous year which strengthened the drive to reduce the high dependency on rice import, that has gained momentum with the National Rice Production Project.
Latest by Fitri Shahminan:
- Sermon: Take advantage of Ramadhan to quit smoking
- Brunei mulls vertical housing after 2012
- Great strides in development of Brunei Halal brand
- A study to help local SMEs cut operation costs
- OIC shows interest in Brunei's halal guidelines, may adopt as standard
