97 / 246
95
BUSINESS SECTORS
In June 2019, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum
Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi
Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam, in a titah highlighted that more than
300 hectares of land has been developed for
farming under a special pilot project. The project
aimed to boost the agricultural output to meet
local needs as well as for export.
To date, 46 entrepreneurs, including 16 youth,
have been offered sites under this pilot
project scheme, totalling over 290 hectares of
agricultural land.
His Majesty, who stressed on the importance
of the farming sector and achieving food self-
sufficiency for the nation’s survivability, said
that as opportunities in agriculture are already
open wide, and it should be pursued by anyone.
His Majesty also underscored that there can
be “no more excuses” for the nation to delay
the development of its agriculture sector, as he
announced a new 500-hectare rice field in Belait.
New 500-hectare commercial rice
field in Kandol launched
The launching of Brunei’s biggest commercial
paddy field, combined with higher yielding
varieties of paddy are geared towards helping
the country meet its rice self-sufficiency target
of 11 per cent by 2020.
The 500-hectare plot set aside in the Belait’s
inner, rural south that marked its first planting
season in October 2019 is expected to produce
between 6,000 to 8,000 tonnes of paddy annually
by 2025. It is estimated to contribute 11 per cent
to 15 per cent of Brunei’s rice requirements once
it is fully operational.
The plot is focussed on cultivation using
Brunei’s highest yielding hybrid varieties,
namely Sembada188 which is capable of
yielding six tonnes per hectare, followed by
Titih which can yield eight tonnes per hectare.
There will be upgrades and expansions of dams
and other projects to improve irrigation and
drainage systems.
Work is also being done with research institutes
from China and the Philippines to produce higher
yielding varieties and maximise land utilisation.
At a ceremony to mark the second harvest of the
Sembada 188 high-yield paddy seed variety at the
Kampong Wasan Agricultural Development Area
(KKP) recently, the Minister of Primary Resources
and Tourism said that they successfully doubled
the output to about six tonnes of rice per hectare
for the harvest season through the introduction
of better irrigation, agro-technology and high-
yield rice strains.
Despite the success in doubling the output,
the minister stressed that they will not be
complacent and will strive to offer higher-
yield paddy varieties to farmers, particularly
through the Titih variety that is still in its trial
phase and expected to produce up to eight
tonnes per hectare.
He also said that the ministry is seeking higher-
yield paddy varieties through research and
collaboration with various parties including
higher education institutions locally and abroad
to determine the best method of paddy farming
for Brunei’s soil.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong and LegCo
member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohimin bin Haji Johari @ Jahari harvest the Sembada 188.