BRUNEI Darussalam is enjoying the harvesting season, which runs from February till March, and among the paddy types harvested are pusu, barrio and adan.

In recent times, however, paddy laila has been grabbing the headlines. It has been dubbed the focal point in the nation’s drive to attaining self-sufficiency.

Agriculture and Agrifood Department Director Hajah Normah Surya Hayati, in an interview with the Bulletin, urged paddy farmers to work diligently with the government to yield greater success in achieving the national aspiration.

Rice producers are subsidised fertilisers, chemicals and padi seeds, as well as proper irrigation services, including expert advice and financial backing of $1,600 for every one metric tonne of padi.

She said laila is a high-yielding paddy variety, which is harvested twice a year.

Yesterday, a paddy harvesting ceremony was held at the rice field belonging to Pehin OKDISD Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Aziz at Wasan Paddy Field.

The event was co-organised by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and Koperasi Setia Kawan Berhad (Koseka).

Joining in on the field works were Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah bin Haji Abdul Wahab and other senior officials at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.
Pehin OKDISD Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Aziz began harvesting paddy in 2008. He expects to yield three metric tonnes of paddy on this eight-hectare field this season.

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