Latest news with #StephenRundiUtom
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak agriculture department to register farmers via e-Tani system
KUCHING: The Department of Agriculture Sarawak has been directed to intensify efforts in identifying and registering farmers across all divisions in the state under the e-Tani system. This initiative aims to streamline data collection for improved policy formulation and targeted assistance. Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom emphasised the importance of capturing unregistered farmers in the system. 'There are still many unregistered farmers in Sarawak who are not yet captured in our system. I would like the Department of Agriculture, across every division, to identify and include these regular farmers,' he said. The e-Tani platform will enable the government to gather precise data on farmers, including their specific needs and locations. Dr Rundi added, 'This will allow for more efficient and targeted assistance, ensuring that no one is left out and that resources are used wisely.' The announcement was made during the launch of the Sarawak Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024, highlighting the state's commitment to enhancing agricultural support and development. - Bernama
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
DOSM: Ageing farmers in Sarawak highlight need to attract youth to agriculture
Dr Rundi (centre), Mohd Uzir (second right), Martin (second left) and others pose with the Sarawak-level Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024 book. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 9): The ageing workforce in Sarawak's agriculture sector must be urgently addressed by increasing youth participation, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Sarawak. In a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the Sarawak-level Agriculture Census Interim Report 2024 today, the department said the findings from the census underscored the need to strengthen the support ecosystem for farmers, especially in areas such as skills training, technology transfer and productivity enhancement. 'This situation also calls for the implementation of comprehensive and integrated policies in line with the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (NAP 2.0), which emphasises food security, sustainability and competitiveness in the agrofood sector,' DOSM said. The report was launched by State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. DOSM Sarawak reported that a total of 147,414 agricultural holdings were recorded in the state as of 2023, with 98.6 per cent (145,378 holdings) individually owned and 1.4 per cent (2,036 holdings) held by organisations. Nearly all the individuals involved in agriculture (99.9 per cent) were Malaysian citizens, and 80 per cent were male. In terms of age distribution, 43.6 per cent of individual holdings were owned by those aged 60 and above, while 37.3 per cent were owned by individuals aged 46 to 59, further illustrating the sector's ageing demographic. Meanwhile, the report reaffirmed that oil palm remains Sarawak's dominant commodity, contributing 79 per cent to the total value of the state's agriculture sector. At the national level, oil palm generated RM83.30 billion in sales in 2023, with Sarawak accounting for RM18.61 billion or 22.3 per cent of the national total. Also present were DOSM chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, who is also the 2024 Agriculture Census commissioner, and State Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Martin Ben. agriculture DOSM Dr Stephen Rundi Utom elderly farmers lead youth
Barnama
10-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak Focusing On Developing Comprehensive Agriculture Supply Chain
GENERAL LUNDU (Sarawak), June 10 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is focusing on developing a comprehensive agricultural supply chain to improve the marketing of produce and minimise wastage. Sarawak Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that an integrated approach, covering the entire supply chain from upstream to downstream, is essential for the sustainability and long-term success of the state's agricultural sector. 'We cannot continue with outdated practices. We must ensure there are factories, markets, and downstream processing facilities to support every crop cultivated. Only then can this sector truly thrive,' he said during a press conference after visiting the GS30 Hybrid Paddy Planting project site in Tanjung Purun earlier today. He said one example of new methods being introduced to diversify crop production in Sarawak is the use of GS30 hybrid paddy seeds from Wuhan, China, which are currently being tested in Tanjung Purun. 'These seeds have the potential to yield between 12 to 14 metric tonnes per hectare, compared with the conventional yield of around six to seven metric tonnes per hectare,' he said. Dr Rundi added that the pilot project, implemented by Baja Engineering Sdn Bhd over 187 hectares, has shown strong potential. However, its success depends on several critical factors, including the efficiency of the drainage system, the formation of soil structures such as hardpans, and full mechanisation, covering ploughing, planting, fertilising, pesticide application, and harvesting. He also noted that Sarawak currently has a rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) of only about 32 per cent, with an annual production of 180,000 metric tonnes, while the state's actual consumption needs stand at 450,000 metric tonnes. Earlier, speaking at the event, Baja Engineering Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Juraimi Abdillah said the original name of the hybrid seed was Liangyou 289, developed by Hubei Ceres Technology in China. 'However, the official name of this seed will be finalised later, pending approval from Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,' he added.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Fourth edition of rabies in Borneo conference coming up
KUCHING: The Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference enters its fourth edition this year and will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sept 30 and Oct 1. Organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, the event is supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, the State Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Business Events Sarawak. Place Borneo in a statement said the conference comes at a crucial time, as Sarawak continues to battle rabies outbreaks with three new cases reported in Kuching, Samarahan and Bintulu between May 1 and 9 this year. 'According to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, since the outbreak began in 2017, authorities have vaccinated 267,883 animals and conducted 4,858 tests, with 23 percent returning positive—a stark reminder of the virus's ongoing presence,' the statement said. Despite prevention efforts, it said the disease continues to impact both animals and people and the RIB 2025 theme, 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities,' signified the urgent need for collective action. Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said rabies is not just a veterinary issue, but a public health and community issue and the state government remains fully committed to eliminate it once and for all. 'This conference is a crucial step in reaffirming our shared vision: a Rabies-Free Borneo. Together, we can and must end this outbreak,' he added. More information on the conference can be obtained at
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak records 8.6 pct rise in palm oil FFB production this year
Dr Rundi holds up the text of his ministerial winding-up speech. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 27): Sarawak has produced 4.85 million tonnes of oil palm's Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), marking an 8.6 per cent increase compared to 4.47 million tonnes in the same period last year, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister added that Crude Palm Oil (CPO) production also rose by 3.7 per cent to 0.91 million tonnes. 'However, the production of Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO) has recorded a 7.8 per cent decrease, from 86,530 metric tonnes to 79,762 metric tonnes,' he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday. Dr Rundi highlighted that Sarawak's average FFB yield increased to 3.32 metric tonnes per hectare in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 3.08 metric tonnes in 2024. He revealed that the Oil Extraction Rate (OER) from January to March 2025 recorded a declining trend, achieving 18.9 per cent, which is lower compared to 19.7 per cent during the same period in 2024. 'Similarly, the OER for CPKO declined from 45.8 per cent to 44.5 per cent during this period. 'The decline was primarily due to the adverse impact of heavy rain, flooding, and ongoing replanting programme,' he added. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom DUN sitting fresh fruit bunches oil palm
