Page 248 - The Guide To Sarawak

246 AGRICULTURE - FOREWORD
Sarawak is blessed with over 40,000 square kilometres of land suitable for agricultural development, with a similar area suitable for plantation crops. Yet for historical and demographic reasons, especially our low population density, only around 20% of this vast area has been cultivated. This makes Sarawak a potential agricultural powerhouse, once we are able to unleash modern agricultural methods and business models to develop and harvest this incredible wealth.
That is why the State Government has identified agriculture as a major component of our future development plans. On the one hand it is unlocking vast areas of land for modern, integrated agriculture to feed the Tanjung Manis Halal Hub, while simultaneously leveraging traditional knowledge and techniques to obtain Geographical Indication (GI) certification for our delicious traditional rice varieties.
This combination of geographic potential and political commitment makes Sarawak the ideal destination for investors in agriculture, agribusiness and a host of downstream activities. We have opened our doors to major corporations in a variety of areas, and many more are welcome to join them. At the same time we seek to develop partnerships with niche players who can work together with rural communities to optimize the benefits of their traditional skills and intellectual property.
As custodians of one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, we also preside over one of the world’s richest areas for bio-prospecting, with literally millions of species whose agricultural or pharmaceutical potential has never been properly explored.
Of course, Sarawak’s agricultural potential is also of great interest to the casual visitor, for who could fail to be captivated by the sight of Iban ladies singing lullabies to the Rice Spirit as they harvest their paddy fields by hand. And it would take a very jaded palate indeed to be unimpressed by our enormous variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Agriculture in Sarawak is not simply something that contributes to our economic development; what we plant and what we harvest have made us who we are.
YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang
Deputy Chief Minister,
Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Minister of Rural Development Sarawak