Another 4,947 hectares of land have been identified and opened for paddy planting as the country further gears itself towards self-sufficiency.
The new area was mentioned during the first session of the Sixth Legco meeting yesterday by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar.

Out of the 620 hectares of new area within the Brunei-Muara district, 170 hectares is at the Batong area, 150 hectares at Pancur Murai, 200 hectares for Junjungan I and Limau Manis and 100 hectares for Junjungan II.

An area of 680 hectares has been set-aside in the Temburong district for the project, where Selapun will have 200 hectares, an additional 80 hectares for the Senukuh area, and 400 hectares each for Lakiun and Pedayan.

For Tutong, 1,087 hectares will be distributed among areas that will include the Kampong Tanjong Maya consultative council area with 44.8 hectares, the Payagus Lubuk Gusi Bakiau with 40 hectares, Pengkalan Mau with 48.8 hectares and Supon with 955 hectares.

The Belait District will be provided the largest amount of land amounting to 2,560 hectares allocated for the paddy project.

Seven hundred hectares will be added to the current Lubuk Sengkuang area. Labi Barus is to be provided with 260 hectares while Buau and Kandol will receive 1,000 and 600 hectares respectively.

Meanwhile, the minister added that existing areas will see improvements in irrigation as well as upgrades to roads leading to paddy fields.

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