Land allocated to help boost rice yield

Leo Kasim
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) for land lease for the purpose of strengthening rice cultivation was signed between the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DAA), Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) and four rice growers from different areas yesterday.

The agreement, which took place at the MIPR headquarters, was signed between the department together with Koperasi Setia Kawan Berhad (KOSEKA), Mukim Consultative Council (MPM) of Pengkalan Batu, Village Consultative Council (MPK) of Kg Bebuloh and Kg Wasan.

Statistics by the DAA for September 2011- January 2012, showed that the four rice growers with their fields in the areas of Wasan, Bebuloh and Batang Perhentian managed a combined output of 664.74 metric tonnes from the total land size of 354.21 hectares.

This means that the yield per hectare stands at about 1.9 metric tonnes.

In light of these figures, DAA Acting Assistant Director Pg Hjh Mariam Pg Hj Omar said that the MoU aims to increase the production of rice yield in the specified areas.

"Once the land has been given to the rice growers, we expect them to achieve a yield of at least three metric tonnes (of rice) per hectare," she said.

"If the target is not met, then we have to investigate the reasons behind it....which will also reflect on performance," she said.

She said that the three-year land lease to the farmers will also mean that they have to make use of good farming practices.

This includes taking necessary steps to ensure food safety such as not using too much pesticides or fertilisers, she said.

She explained that the training for farmers is also provided by the DAA through the Farmers' Field School with other organisations.

Such training will ensure that rice farmers are better equipped and more knowledgeable, which in turn will help produce higher and better quality rice yields while maintaining sustainable farming practice, she added.

When asked which variety of rice will be grown, Pg Hjh Mariam said that most of them will be growing Beras Laila.

Meanwhile, DAA Acting Director, Hjh Aidah Hj Mohd Hanifah signed the MoU on behalf of the department witnessed by Acting Assistant Director Pg Hjh Mariam.

KOSEKA's signing was represented by its chairman, Lt Col (Rtd) Hj Mohd Shahlan Hidup and witnessed by the co-operative's advisor Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohammad Hj Daud.

Hj Tahir Hj Tarip, Hj Muhd Sa'id Tundak and Mat Noor Ma'arof signed for MPM Pengkalan Batu, MPK Kg Bebuloh and MPK Kg Wasan, as chairman of their respective consultative councils.

Also present at the event were other MIPR senior officials.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times