BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
RICE production for 2013 has taken a slight hit compared to data released in 2012 due to “pest issues”, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) disclosed.
In a telephone interview with Minister of Industry and Primary ResourcesYang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, he said that as of now, there are no official figures at hand for rice production data this year.
“(The downturn) is due to pest issues that some farms were having trouble with, but Temburong did well this year... maintaining (its production),” he said.
However, the ministry has taken measures to improve infrastructure to enhance rice production in Temburong.
Improvement measures include a milling machine and post-harvest machine.
“Temburong is doing quite well in rice production, maintaining its 10 per cent of (Brunei’s) current rice production, which is why post-harvesting is important in this process,” he said, adding that on top of that there will be irrigation infrastructure put in place as well.
According to the latest released figures, Temburong harvested approximately 188.80 metric tonnes of rice, over an area of 275 hectares.
The new rice miller has a capacity to mill rice at approximately 1,200-1,400kg/hr and was completed the middle of this year. The press statement issued by the ministry said that it was ready for use in early November this year.
The machine supplied is capable of processing 100 sacks of rice per day (70kg/sacks) and total net rice produced is approximately 420 bag per day (10kg/bag).
To carry out the work of rice processing, Department of Agriculture and Agrifood has been appointed a company from Temburong a contract for six months to transport the sacks of rice to the rice store in Temburong District as well as to transport rice from the processing rice plant in Lekiun.
The press release stated that this short-term project is one of the efforts that are being undertaken by the department towards achieving self-sufficiency in rice production for Brunei Darussalam.
“It is hoped that with the rice milling machine, rice processing works will be performed in the Temburong District which will be marketed mainly in the district and also will be able to meet the demand of thelocal market,” stated the press release.
Last Saturday, through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, the ministry had a blessing ceremony in Temburong for the rice miller which was officiated by the minister.
The event was held at the rice processing site in Kampung Lekiun in Temburong.
The Brunei Times
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