| Azlan Othman |
BRUNEI is scouting for companies that can introduce high-yielding varieties of paddy in a bid to augment the country’s rice output and reduce reliance on imports.
“We are open to any companies that can ensure higher paddy production,” said Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism yesterday.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the paddy harvesting activity by PT Biogene Plantation from Indonesia held in cooperation with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) at Wasan fields.
“Currently there are is about 500-700 hectares of land open for paddy cultivation and soon another 160 hectares will be made available at Panchor Murai in Tutong. This site is open to farmers who can produce at least eight tonnes per hectare which is set as a requirement. Infrastructure is already in place at Kampong Panchor Murai like flat land and irrigation facilities,” the minister said.
“Our target is simple, which is to produce higher yields. This will augment the overall rice production in the country, thus reducing the importation of rice. Our mission is every farmer plants high-yielding paddy on every piece of land and making maximum yield with top-end technology and collaboration with our counterparts in the region.”
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, and Nurul Qomar, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam, in a group photo with Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and PT Biogene Plantation officials. – AZLAN OTHMAN
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali also said that we need large scale paddy planting through cooperatives or companies so that we can buy manure or pesticides in bulk, thereby reducing cost. If such manure or pesticide is bought individually, it would be expensive.
Local farmers need to use high yielding varieties of paddy so as to increase the country’s rice output and reduce imports from abroad, the minister urged.
“We now have the ‘Titih’ paddy that can produce eight tonnes per hectare compared to the Laila paddy which only produces three to four tonnes. Brunei’s target is to develop a new variety that can produce up to 12-13 tonnes per hectare. This can cut the production cost and give more profit to the farmer, the minister added.
“The Indonesian firm (PT Biogene) is conducting trial on a new paddy variety which can produce up to 13 tonnes of paddy per hectare back in Indonesia. But on average, they (Indonesians) produce 11 tonnes per hectare,” the minister noted.
“Three paddy varieties have been introduced on Brunei soil, one of which can produce nine tonnes per hectare. But this is their first trial. After two or three trials, then we will know exactly how much such variety can produce on average.
“But we are yet to get a paddy variety that can produce 12 tonnes. It still needs research. Such varieties are available outside the country but they may not grow in Brunei as the soil here is acidic.”
Meanwhile, Nurul Qomar, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam, said Indonesia’s cooperation in agriculture is the first of its kind, adding that he hopes such cooperation would continue to bolster bilateral ties.
“Indonesia has the technology that can be utilised here in Brunei Darussalam despite the differences in soil which requires extra efforts to make it fertile. The trial of paddy planting in Kalimantan which has similar soil has proved successful,” the envoy said.
Meanwhile an Agronomist from PT Biogene Plantation, Nasikin, said three varieties were introduced in Brunei, namely SEMBADA B9, SEMBADA 168 and SEMBADA 989. The first trial is to find out how the production could be enhanced. In Indonesia, these paddy varieties could produce 13 tonnes per hectare.
“We have not reached the maximum yield in Brunei due to the acidic soil as well as diseases. But these three varieties have good production potential and are hoped to produce better results in the next season,” she said.
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