PILOT RICE BOWL PROJECT IN KEGURAAN TO OVERCOME FLOODING, INCREASE CROP YIELD

KOTA BELUD (Malaysia), Jan 19 (Bernama) -- A pilot rice-bowl project in East
Malaysia state of Sabah, covering 280 hectares in Keguraan, near here, is
expected to overcome flooding as well as increase the crop yield in the area.

Upon completion of the infrastructure projects, involving drainage and
irrigation facility, on Jan 5 next year, padi production in the area is expected
to increase from three to 3.5 metric tonne per hectare to 10 metric tonne per
hectare.

Sabah Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Yahya Hussin said it would also
help the government to increase the state rice self-sufficiency from 30 per cent
currently.

"Developed states with high rice production, they have good drainage
and irrigation system. This is what we are going to have in Keguraan. The canal
density will increase to 50 metre per hectare, from 20 metre per hectare
currently," he told reporters after visiting the project site here today.

The project in Keguraan, costing RM71.5 million (US$21.43 million) and
involving 28 rice farming families, was proposed in 2007, but only implemented
in January last year.

It is handled by the Sabah Drainage and Irrigation Department with
allocation from the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry.

Yahya, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said implementation of the project
was delayed due to time taken to negotiate with land owners.

Asked whether the government had identified other areas in Kota Belud or
other districts for the project, he said the focus for the time being would only
be on Kota Belud and that the project might be carried out in other rice farming
areas.
--BERNAMA