Kuala Rajang Land Lease Model Boosts Paddy Production and Local Economy

TANJUNG MANIS – The land lease approach for paddy cultivation in Kuala Rajang has demonstrated significant success, benefiting both landowners and private operators while contributing to the local economy.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, noted that idle village land in the area has been effectively utilised through partnerships with private companies. These firms invest in developing the land for modern paddy farming, employing advanced machinery that villagers alone could not afford due to high costs.

“This is because the villagers themselves could not cultivate the land due to high costs. With private sector involvement, modern paddy farming using advanced machinery can be carried out, boosting the ‘subscale’ economy.

At the same time, landowners also benefit by earning income through rental or lease agreements with the private operators. This model has already proven to be successful here, creating a win-win outcome where both operators and landowners generate income,” he said during a press conference following a visit to the Tanjung Manis Rice Bowl at the Ta Ann Padihead paddy fields.

The Premier highlighted that Padihead Sdn Bhd, together with partners led by Dato K.H. Wong, successfully produced four tonnes of paddy across two harvests in a single year, developing more than 865 acres of land. He emphasised that Kuala Rajang has the potential for up to 10,000 hectares of paddy cultivation, spanning areas from Daro to Pulau Bruit.

“If Sarawak can cultivate 14,000 hectares across the state, we would be able to produce about 240,000 metric tonnes of rice, sufficient for domestic consumption. Expanding by another 14,000 hectares could see production double to around 480,000 metric tonnes by 2030, allowing us to potentially export rice beyond local needs,” he added.

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak, Datu Sirai Daha, and other officials.