TENOM: The TR8 rice variety has the potential to produce up to 10 tonnes per hectare, based on yields recorded in several farming areas in Kuala Tomani here.
Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the potential had been demonstrated in Kalibatang Lama, Kalibatang Baru, Kuala Tomani and Merais, with some farms recording yields of up to 10 tonnes per hectare over the past three years.
He said this after officiating the harvesting of the Certified Rice Seed Satellite Field (SSBPS) in Kalibatang Baru here today.
The area has been gazetted as an SSBPS under the Sabah Agriculture Department's Rice Seed Production Section to produce quality rice seeds certified by the department.
"There are about 67 hectares planted with TR8 rice in this village. According to our statistics, the highest yield recorded here over the past three years has reached 10 tonnes per hectare.
"This means TR8 has high potential, and its yield potential has been proven in Kampung Kalibatang Lama, Kalibatang Baru, Kuala Tomani and Merais," he told reporters.
Jamawi, who is also Melalap assemblyman, said inspections of rice samples showed that each panicle contained between 165 and 185 grains, indicating a potential yield of between eight and nine tonnes per hectare.
He said the achievement was among the highest recorded in Sabah, compared with Kota Belud Rice Bowl, which recorded a peak yield of about five tonnes per hectare, and Terusan Sapi Rice Bowl, which recorded 4.5 tonnes per hectare.
Jamawi also congratulated the Sabah Agriculture Department for recognising the potential of the area in increasing rice production.
"I am not new to this area. I have been with the farmers here for about 20 years, and I know their dedication and cooperation in managing the paddy fields here," he said.
He said farmers in the area also cultivated fruits, with the district becoming one of Sabah's recognised fruit-producing areas.
Jamawi said the state government would continue supporting farmers, given the area's potential to be developed as a model for Sabah's rice industry.
He said two tractors, one for ploughing and another for harvesting, had been approved for the area this year.
"For next year, I will add a planting machine and a small harvester for areas that are difficult for large machinery to access," he said.
Jamawi said requests from farmers for fertiliser spraying machines would also be considered, with five units planned for provision next year.
"I believe this area has great potential to be further developed and become a model for rice farmers in Sabah," he said.
He also urged the Agriculture Department to encourage groups of farmers interested in learning TR8 cultivation and management techniques to visit Kuala Tomani to observe the technology and yields achieved there.
"You don't have to go to Sekinchan, Perak or the rice bowls in Kedah. Come to Kuala Tomani. We have proven that rice yields can reach 10 tonnes per hectare," he said.
Also present were MAFFI Deputy Permanent Secretary II Maria David Edick; Sabah Agriculture Department director Jackson Ronald Raimi; Sabah Paddy and Rice Board general manager Datuk Dr Haji Ramle Haji Kasin; Tenom district officer Alexander Liew and Tenom agriculture officer Ts Mohammad Fauzi Ab Gulam.
Jamawi also visited the Bukit Layang-Layang vegetable farm in Ulu Paal and the Sabah Agriculture Park in Lagud Sebrang.
Tags: Sabah, Tenom, TR8 rice, rice production, agriculture, Jamawi Jaafar, Kuala Tomani, Sabah rice industry
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