Sarawak Identifies 43,000ha For Large-scale Padi Production

KUCHING, May 14 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has identified 43,000ha as potential areas for large-scale padi production.Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture Tan Sri Dr George Chan said the areas included Paloh, Pulau Beruit and Sungai Sebelak and the project would be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).A total of RM35.4 million had been allocated for the construction of basic drainage and irrigation infrastructures in these areas," he said in reply to Karim Rahman Hamzah (BN-Asajaya) at the state assembly here today.He said the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry had also approved two more areas -- 2,200ha in Lingga-Banting, Batang Lupar, Sri Aman and 2,900ha in Bijat-Stumbin -- for the same purpose.Dr Chan, who is deputy chief minister, said RM3.9 million had been allocated for the construction of basic infrastructure in Banting-Lingga and RM13.5 million for Stumbin-Bijat.A piece of land in Stumbin with total area of 166ha had also been acquired by the state government for the development of certified seed production and processing centre, he added.-- BERNAMA