Land allocated to locals for commercial farming
Commercial agriculture: A file photo of a farmer tending to his crops. The Agriculture Department in its efforts to increase agricultural products which can be commercialised, has implemented a programme known as Agricultural Development Area where farmers can utilise the land provided for commercial farming. Picture: BT file
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
THE Agriculture Department have introduced another initiative to develop the Agriculture Industry by providing farming sites to local farmers known as the Agricultural Development Area (KKP) specifically used for commercial agriculture activities.
The initiative was aimed to encourage farmers to work on the land and then market their products and to ensure consistent yield of good quality and safe.
The aim of the KKP was to develop the site in line with the concept of Integrated Post Management for farming entrepreneurs to lessen from over-using poison, while bringing the concept of Good Agriculture Practice to enhance the quality yield and Good Farming Management with the use of hi-tech system.
Local entrepreneurs as a whole will have the opportunity to improve themselves and make plans for value-added activities. Furthermore the KKP was also aimed to encourage participation from farming cooperatives as a marketing agents and enhance the knowledge of entrepreneurs regarding the strategies of output and marketing via Human Resource Development programme.
The type of productions which has been approved for the allocated land includes vegetables, decorative, chicken, sheep, duck, hydrophonics and pineapples were among the lots which has been offered.
Each companies allowed to occupy the site will need to pay depending on the type of businesses which is being carried out during the period of one year these includes; vegetables production at $25 per year for one hectare; while decorative plants production; combined production, breeding production will cost $100 per year for one hectare.
Batumpu is one of the area which is one of the activities which is being worked on by locals in a diverse type of business to develop the country's economy, and has an area of 438 hectares and divided into two hectare for each lot which comes to 219 hectare. The area was opened in 1994 and has become a KKP by putting it under the Early Entry status which should be developed by the locals without the approvals or official agreement from the Agriculture Department. (SHS1)
The Brunei Times
Showing posts with label food security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food security. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Resolving world food crisis
Resolving world food crisis
Help is around the corner: A file picture showing Egyptian farmers planting rice seedlings in Egypt's fertile Delta in Abu Rayea, north of Kafr Al-Sheikh, 140 km from Cairo. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that world food production would have to rise 50 per cent by 2030 in order to meet the earth's increasing food needs.Picture: EPA
NINA V FEDOROFF
WASHINGTON
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
SCIENCE and technology changed agriculture profoundly in the twentieth century. Today, much of the developed world's agriculture is a large-scale enterprise: mechanised, computer-controlled, and based on sophisticated use of chemistry and knowledge of plant and soil physiology.
The invention of chemical fertilisers early in the century and their increasing use, together with mechanisation and the development of high-yielding grain varieties, propelled the growth of agricultural productivity in the developed world. The Green Revolution brought these benefits to less developed nations.
As a result, despite a tripling of the global population, we have so far evaded Malthus' 1798 prediction that human population growth would inevitably outstrip our ability to produce food. Over the second half of the twentieth century, the hungry of the Earth shrank from half of its three billion human inhabitants to less than a billion of the current 6.5 billion.
Twentieth-century plant breeders learned to accelerate genetic changes in plants with chemicals and radiation — a rather shotgun approach to the genetic improvement of plants. The introduction of molecular methods began the current agricultural revolution. The use of such techniques is referred to as genetic modification (GM), genetic engineering, or biotechnology. GM crops that resist certain pests and tolerate herbicides have gained rapid acceptance in many countries.
According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), GM crop adoption is growing at double-digit rates, reaching 114.3 million hectares in 23 countries in 2007. Perhaps most importantly, 11 of the 12 million GM farmers are resource-poor smallholders.
In the 12 years since their commercial introduction, insect-resistant GM crops have increased yields while significantly decreasing the use of toxic pesticides. Herbicide-tolerant plants have decreased herbicide use and encouraged the widespread adoption of no-till farming, markedly reducing topsoil loss and promoting soil fertility.
Despite dire predictions, no adverse effects of GM crops on health, biodiversity, and the environment have been documented to date. The only unanticipated effects so far have been beneficial. Insect-resistant GM corn, for example, shows much lower levels of mycotoxin contamination than conventionally or organically grown corn because the plants are resistant to the insect larvae that bore holes through which fungi enter plants. No holes, no fungi, no mycotoxins. GM techniques are widely accepted in medicine and food technology. What would we do today in the face of the growing world-wide diabetes epidemic without human insulin, now produced on a very large scale from human insulin genes expressed in microorganisms?
But the use of molecular techniques to improve crop plants continues to be rejected emphatically by many countries in Europe, by Japan, and — most tragically — by many African countries.
Recent food and energy price shocks have pulled the world up short. The so-called "food crisis" of 2008 was not really a crisis in the sense of a condition that can be resolved by the quick application of emergency measures. It has been developing for decades. And it is not likely to disappear soon, though food prices are moderating for the moment.
A human population approaching seven billion is straining the limits of the planet's ecological support systems. Water and arable land are in short supply. The climate is changing. Fossil fuel energy is expensive and contributes to climate change. Unexpectedly, we find ourselves once again staring down the barrel of Malthus' gun.
Most of the world's poorest people are rural, small-holding farmers, virtually untouched by modern agriculture. There is much room for increasing productivity. And yet, while we hear talk of a second Green Revolution, expanding the food supply today in the poorest, most crowded, and insecure nations is a formidable task.
It seems that somewhere between the Green Revolution and the biotechnology revolution, the developed world declared the battle for food security won and moved on. Citizens of many urbanised, developed countries have grown nostalgic, increasingly convinced that organic farming, a throwback to nineteenth-century agriculture, produces nutritionally superior food (it doesn't) and can solve the world's food problems (it can't). Where land is not yet limited, small-scale organic farming is an affordable luxury. The amount of arable land on the planet has not changed substantially in more than half a century. Land is lost to urbanisation, desertification, and salinisation as fast as it is added by clearing forests and plowing grasslands.
Yet the human population's growth and increasing affluence continue to push up demand for food, feed, and fiber. Now, as we begin to confront the inevitable exhaustion of fossil fuel supplies, we are asking agriculture to satisfy some of our energy appetite, as well. This is like expecting your modest annual salary to satisfy all the appetites you developed while burning through a large inheritance.
Adapting to climate change and decreasing agriculture's environmental impact, while substantially increasing its productivity, are among the key challenges confronting us in the twenty-first century. Despite the bad rap they've gotten, the GM crops in use today have already contributed to meeting both challenges. Developing an environmentally friendly agriculture for a hot and crowded planet will require the most advanced agricultural methods available, including GM techniques. Indeed, there are projects underway to develop crop varieties that use less water and maintain their yield potential under harsher drought conditions than today's crops. Will we have the wisdom to accept the growing evidence of safety and welcome these necessary survival tools?
Nina V Fedoroff is Science and Technology Adviser to the United States Secretary of State and to the Administrator of US Agency for International Development (USAid).
Project Syndicate
Help is around the corner: A file picture showing Egyptian farmers planting rice seedlings in Egypt's fertile Delta in Abu Rayea, north of Kafr Al-Sheikh, 140 km from Cairo. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that world food production would have to rise 50 per cent by 2030 in order to meet the earth's increasing food needs.Picture: EPA
NINA V FEDOROFF
WASHINGTON
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
SCIENCE and technology changed agriculture profoundly in the twentieth century. Today, much of the developed world's agriculture is a large-scale enterprise: mechanised, computer-controlled, and based on sophisticated use of chemistry and knowledge of plant and soil physiology.
The invention of chemical fertilisers early in the century and their increasing use, together with mechanisation and the development of high-yielding grain varieties, propelled the growth of agricultural productivity in the developed world. The Green Revolution brought these benefits to less developed nations.
As a result, despite a tripling of the global population, we have so far evaded Malthus' 1798 prediction that human population growth would inevitably outstrip our ability to produce food. Over the second half of the twentieth century, the hungry of the Earth shrank from half of its three billion human inhabitants to less than a billion of the current 6.5 billion.
Twentieth-century plant breeders learned to accelerate genetic changes in plants with chemicals and radiation — a rather shotgun approach to the genetic improvement of plants. The introduction of molecular methods began the current agricultural revolution. The use of such techniques is referred to as genetic modification (GM), genetic engineering, or biotechnology. GM crops that resist certain pests and tolerate herbicides have gained rapid acceptance in many countries.
According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), GM crop adoption is growing at double-digit rates, reaching 114.3 million hectares in 23 countries in 2007. Perhaps most importantly, 11 of the 12 million GM farmers are resource-poor smallholders.
In the 12 years since their commercial introduction, insect-resistant GM crops have increased yields while significantly decreasing the use of toxic pesticides. Herbicide-tolerant plants have decreased herbicide use and encouraged the widespread adoption of no-till farming, markedly reducing topsoil loss and promoting soil fertility.
Despite dire predictions, no adverse effects of GM crops on health, biodiversity, and the environment have been documented to date. The only unanticipated effects so far have been beneficial. Insect-resistant GM corn, for example, shows much lower levels of mycotoxin contamination than conventionally or organically grown corn because the plants are resistant to the insect larvae that bore holes through which fungi enter plants. No holes, no fungi, no mycotoxins. GM techniques are widely accepted in medicine and food technology. What would we do today in the face of the growing world-wide diabetes epidemic without human insulin, now produced on a very large scale from human insulin genes expressed in microorganisms?
But the use of molecular techniques to improve crop plants continues to be rejected emphatically by many countries in Europe, by Japan, and — most tragically — by many African countries.
Recent food and energy price shocks have pulled the world up short. The so-called "food crisis" of 2008 was not really a crisis in the sense of a condition that can be resolved by the quick application of emergency measures. It has been developing for decades. And it is not likely to disappear soon, though food prices are moderating for the moment.
A human population approaching seven billion is straining the limits of the planet's ecological support systems. Water and arable land are in short supply. The climate is changing. Fossil fuel energy is expensive and contributes to climate change. Unexpectedly, we find ourselves once again staring down the barrel of Malthus' gun.
Most of the world's poorest people are rural, small-holding farmers, virtually untouched by modern agriculture. There is much room for increasing productivity. And yet, while we hear talk of a second Green Revolution, expanding the food supply today in the poorest, most crowded, and insecure nations is a formidable task.
It seems that somewhere between the Green Revolution and the biotechnology revolution, the developed world declared the battle for food security won and moved on. Citizens of many urbanised, developed countries have grown nostalgic, increasingly convinced that organic farming, a throwback to nineteenth-century agriculture, produces nutritionally superior food (it doesn't) and can solve the world's food problems (it can't). Where land is not yet limited, small-scale organic farming is an affordable luxury. The amount of arable land on the planet has not changed substantially in more than half a century. Land is lost to urbanisation, desertification, and salinisation as fast as it is added by clearing forests and plowing grasslands.
Yet the human population's growth and increasing affluence continue to push up demand for food, feed, and fiber. Now, as we begin to confront the inevitable exhaustion of fossil fuel supplies, we are asking agriculture to satisfy some of our energy appetite, as well. This is like expecting your modest annual salary to satisfy all the appetites you developed while burning through a large inheritance.
Adapting to climate change and decreasing agriculture's environmental impact, while substantially increasing its productivity, are among the key challenges confronting us in the twenty-first century. Despite the bad rap they've gotten, the GM crops in use today have already contributed to meeting both challenges. Developing an environmentally friendly agriculture for a hot and crowded planet will require the most advanced agricultural methods available, including GM techniques. Indeed, there are projects underway to develop crop varieties that use less water and maintain their yield potential under harsher drought conditions than today's crops. Will we have the wisdom to accept the growing evidence of safety and welcome these necessary survival tools?
Nina V Fedoroff is Science and Technology Adviser to the United States Secretary of State and to the Administrator of US Agency for International Development (USAid).
Project Syndicate
Friday, December 19, 2008
Let Food Grow
Let Food Grow
by Douglas Southgate
After peaking earlier this year, food prices have retreated in recent months. Nevertheless, the United Nations warns of another food crisis which could push more than 100 million people back into absolute poverty.
With human numbers rising and income growth pushing up per-capita consumption too, must food remain expensive? The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says in its latest report last week that nearly one billion people are undernourished. Are they condemned to remain hungry? Not at all.
During the second half of the 20th century, food supplies grew faster than demand and real prices for cereals declined by 75%. Because cereals account for more than 60% of the human diet, consumers paid a lot less for food.
These days, population growth is slowing but demand is still going up quickly because of improved earnings. By 2050, demand for food will probably increase between 60% and 100%. And if we don't grow more food per hectare or farm more land, real food prices will rise.
So there was nothing unexpected about the current rise in demand for food. As the Director-General of the United Nations World Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, said: "It was predictable and we predicted it, and it was avoidable but the world failed to avoid it."
But "the world" is not to blame: the blame lies with individual governments, especially in the poorest countries, that put up huge barriers to the movement of food, keeping prices high.
Only 15% of African trade takes place within the continent. Poor countries' tariff barriers are higher on average than in developed countries. South of the Sahara, the average tariff on agricultural imports is 33.6%. And over-regulation, red tape, delays at customs and corruption all make it worse.
Since these obstacles make inputs more expensive too, domestic producers are prevented from responding fully to higher food demand.
Ukraine is a perfect example of a country with huge agricultural potential that remains largely untapped. Simply farming more efficiently and using better inputs such as fertilizer could nearly double current crop yields. This would allow Ukraine to export 50 to 80 million more tonnes of cereal a year. This is enough in cereal-equivalent terms to feed 50 million people in China. In India, where average consumption is lower, 100 million people could be fed.
Ukraine is so well adapted to farming that it was a world leader in the mid 1880s. It was later the bread-basket of the Soviet Union and, today, it remains a net exporter despite the Communist legacy. But export quotas and other government meddling keep domestic prices artificially low, removing the incentive for farmers to grow more.
On the other side of the world, Argentina shows similar wasted potential. Farming 15 million hectares instead of the current nine million would generate an additional 30 million tonnes of cereal for export every year. This could feed 30 million people for a year in China or 60 million in India.
But, here too, production is held back by politics, with Cristina Fernandez's administration following the lead of previous governments in using every available tactic to keep food cheap, whatever the real cost. In March, export taxes on several foodstuffs were increased, with soybeans, the main export crop, now taxed at 45%. Decades of such policies have reduced the amount of land under cultivation since the early 1960s.
The vain pursuit of self-sufficiency has landed many countries in difficulty today, especially those without the vast potential of Argentina or Ukraine.
Nigeria, Senegal and Malawi pursue this mirage, while many of the poorest countries in Sub-Sahara actually are proudly "self-sufficient" in food. The result is that per capita food consumption is alarmingly low.
Governments want to keep food cheap, yet fail to realise that restricting exports and taxing farming leads farmers to invest less and produce less. So prices rise--for everyone.
The response of governments to the food crisis has largely been counter-productive: more than 30 countries introduced export restrictions or outright bans, making food prices soar further. Freeing trade and freeing farmers is the only way to get a good deal for producers and consumers everywhere.
---
Douglas Southgate, contributing author to www.WauBebas.org, is Professor of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at Ohio State University.
by Douglas Southgate
After peaking earlier this year, food prices have retreated in recent months. Nevertheless, the United Nations warns of another food crisis which could push more than 100 million people back into absolute poverty.
With human numbers rising and income growth pushing up per-capita consumption too, must food remain expensive? The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says in its latest report last week that nearly one billion people are undernourished. Are they condemned to remain hungry? Not at all.
During the second half of the 20th century, food supplies grew faster than demand and real prices for cereals declined by 75%. Because cereals account for more than 60% of the human diet, consumers paid a lot less for food.
These days, population growth is slowing but demand is still going up quickly because of improved earnings. By 2050, demand for food will probably increase between 60% and 100%. And if we don't grow more food per hectare or farm more land, real food prices will rise.
So there was nothing unexpected about the current rise in demand for food. As the Director-General of the United Nations World Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, said: "It was predictable and we predicted it, and it was avoidable but the world failed to avoid it."
But "the world" is not to blame: the blame lies with individual governments, especially in the poorest countries, that put up huge barriers to the movement of food, keeping prices high.
Only 15% of African trade takes place within the continent. Poor countries' tariff barriers are higher on average than in developed countries. South of the Sahara, the average tariff on agricultural imports is 33.6%. And over-regulation, red tape, delays at customs and corruption all make it worse.
Since these obstacles make inputs more expensive too, domestic producers are prevented from responding fully to higher food demand.
Ukraine is a perfect example of a country with huge agricultural potential that remains largely untapped. Simply farming more efficiently and using better inputs such as fertilizer could nearly double current crop yields. This would allow Ukraine to export 50 to 80 million more tonnes of cereal a year. This is enough in cereal-equivalent terms to feed 50 million people in China. In India, where average consumption is lower, 100 million people could be fed.
Ukraine is so well adapted to farming that it was a world leader in the mid 1880s. It was later the bread-basket of the Soviet Union and, today, it remains a net exporter despite the Communist legacy. But export quotas and other government meddling keep domestic prices artificially low, removing the incentive for farmers to grow more.
On the other side of the world, Argentina shows similar wasted potential. Farming 15 million hectares instead of the current nine million would generate an additional 30 million tonnes of cereal for export every year. This could feed 30 million people for a year in China or 60 million in India.
But, here too, production is held back by politics, with Cristina Fernandez's administration following the lead of previous governments in using every available tactic to keep food cheap, whatever the real cost. In March, export taxes on several foodstuffs were increased, with soybeans, the main export crop, now taxed at 45%. Decades of such policies have reduced the amount of land under cultivation since the early 1960s.
The vain pursuit of self-sufficiency has landed many countries in difficulty today, especially those without the vast potential of Argentina or Ukraine.
Nigeria, Senegal and Malawi pursue this mirage, while many of the poorest countries in Sub-Sahara actually are proudly "self-sufficient" in food. The result is that per capita food consumption is alarmingly low.
Governments want to keep food cheap, yet fail to realise that restricting exports and taxing farming leads farmers to invest less and produce less. So prices rise--for everyone.
The response of governments to the food crisis has largely been counter-productive: more than 30 countries introduced export restrictions or outright bans, making food prices soar further. Freeing trade and freeing farmers is the only way to get a good deal for producers and consumers everywhere.
---
Douglas Southgate, contributing author to www.WauBebas.org, is Professor of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at Ohio State University.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Brunei Identifies 3,000ha Of Land For Padi Cultivation
Brunei Identifies 3,000ha Of Land For Padi Cultivation
By Sonia K.
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Agriculture has identified low lands that have potential to be developed into large-scale padi fields such as a 1000ha field in Piasau Piasau, 1000ha in Limau Manis and 1000ha in Labi Baru.
According to rice production trends from the year 1998-2007, the local rice production has increased yearly with 982.9 metric tonnes (mt) of rice produced last year in fields throughout the country.
Following the programme to increase padi production, Brunei's short-term target for 2010 is to increase local rice production to 20 per cent of the country's self-sufficiency rate. However, by 2015, the country is targeting to increase local rice production to the level of 60 per cent.
These plans were revealed during His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office working visit yesterday to the padi plantation area in Kampong Wasan.
The Agricultural Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources provided information that showed critical factors that promise the increase in local rice production have
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been identified and can be achieved through opening new padi fields, improving infrastructure of the fields and by using high yielding varieties of padi that are not photoperiod-sensitive.
High yield varieties of padi have been arranged for the padi field in the Brunei-Muara, Belait and Temburong Districts. This is estimated to cost $50million.
In the Tutong District, planting local rice such as Pusu, Bario and Adan will be continued.
In addition to efforts on improving the agronomy field businesses, developing and improving farmers and their workers' abilities, the establishment of a Rice Research Centre as well as improvements in plantation technology will be continued.
According to statistics from the Agriculture Department, in 2007, the quantity of rice needed for the residents of Brunei. Darussalam was 31,242mt, which was estimated to have been worth B$37.05 million.
The total usage per capita is estimated at 80.1kg per person every year.
Currently, the production of local rice at 982.9mt is only 3.15 per cent self-sufficient and is estimated to be worth B$2.86 million. Currently, the total number of farmers working in all four districts is 1,233 and the total farm area is 1,354ha.
This means that the average production a hectare is 0 .7mt/ha.
A huge quantity of rice needed for Brunei's consumption is imported — 29,252mt worth $34.19 million.
The total farming area of Wasan and Bebuloh is 310.5ha with 257 farmers. These fields produce 224mt of rice.
In the Tutong District, most of the padi fields are located in Mukim Rambai. It covers an area of 191.57ha and has 273 farmers. Last season the fields produced 149.7mt of rice.
The Belait District currently has the largest padi field in Brunei covering an area of 469.1ha. It has 349 farmers and it produced 344.7mt of rice for the country's consumption.
Temburong District has padi fields located in LekiunPerdayan, Senukoh and Selapon covering 382.4ha. The fields have a total of 354 farmers and produced 264.5mt of rice last season.
According to M1PR, the development of infrastructure needs to be improved. Other areas that need improvement to boost rice production include agronomy field management, farmers' skills, agricultural staff, the establishment of Rice Research Centre, as well as the improvement of estate technology and "Lepastuai".
The implementation target for the rice production development programme is to boost the production to 20 per cent, which is 6,000mt of rice from 2,783ha by the year 2010 and to improve production to 60 per cent by 2015.
The implementation plan has two aspects, infrastructure at the present area and the variety exchange of the proposed fields.
The infrastructure development will begin in 2009 and is expected to end in mid-2010 and the variety exchange will be implemented after the cultivation season of 2008/2009, which is mid-2009 until mid-2010. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Related News: 2010 Plan Target: 20 Per Cent Increase In Rice Production
By Sonia K.
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Agriculture has identified low lands that have potential to be developed into large-scale padi fields such as a 1000ha field in Piasau Piasau, 1000ha in Limau Manis and 1000ha in Labi Baru.
According to rice production trends from the year 1998-2007, the local rice production has increased yearly with 982.9 metric tonnes (mt) of rice produced last year in fields throughout the country.
Following the programme to increase padi production, Brunei's short-term target for 2010 is to increase local rice production to 20 per cent of the country's self-sufficiency rate. However, by 2015, the country is targeting to increase local rice production to the level of 60 per cent.
These plans were revealed during His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office working visit yesterday to the padi plantation area in Kampong Wasan.
The Agricultural Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources provided information that showed critical factors that promise the increase in local rice production have
Advertisement
been identified and can be achieved through opening new padi fields, improving infrastructure of the fields and by using high yielding varieties of padi that are not photoperiod-sensitive.
High yield varieties of padi have been arranged for the padi field in the Brunei-Muara, Belait and Temburong Districts. This is estimated to cost $50million.
In the Tutong District, planting local rice such as Pusu, Bario and Adan will be continued.
In addition to efforts on improving the agronomy field businesses, developing and improving farmers and their workers' abilities, the establishment of a Rice Research Centre as well as improvements in plantation technology will be continued.
According to statistics from the Agriculture Department, in 2007, the quantity of rice needed for the residents of Brunei. Darussalam was 31,242mt, which was estimated to have been worth B$37.05 million.
The total usage per capita is estimated at 80.1kg per person every year.
Currently, the production of local rice at 982.9mt is only 3.15 per cent self-sufficient and is estimated to be worth B$2.86 million. Currently, the total number of farmers working in all four districts is 1,233 and the total farm area is 1,354ha.
This means that the average production a hectare is 0 .7mt/ha.
A huge quantity of rice needed for Brunei's consumption is imported — 29,252mt worth $34.19 million.
The total farming area of Wasan and Bebuloh is 310.5ha with 257 farmers. These fields produce 224mt of rice.
In the Tutong District, most of the padi fields are located in Mukim Rambai. It covers an area of 191.57ha and has 273 farmers. Last season the fields produced 149.7mt of rice.
The Belait District currently has the largest padi field in Brunei covering an area of 469.1ha. It has 349 farmers and it produced 344.7mt of rice for the country's consumption.
Temburong District has padi fields located in LekiunPerdayan, Senukoh and Selapon covering 382.4ha. The fields have a total of 354 farmers and produced 264.5mt of rice last season.
According to M1PR, the development of infrastructure needs to be improved. Other areas that need improvement to boost rice production include agronomy field management, farmers' skills, agricultural staff, the establishment of Rice Research Centre, as well as the improvement of estate technology and "Lepastuai".
The implementation target for the rice production development programme is to boost the production to 20 per cent, which is 6,000mt of rice from 2,783ha by the year 2010 and to improve production to 60 per cent by 2015.
The implementation plan has two aspects, infrastructure at the present area and the variety exchange of the proposed fields.
The infrastructure development will begin in 2009 and is expected to end in mid-2010 and the variety exchange will be implemented after the cultivation season of 2008/2009, which is mid-2009 until mid-2010. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Related News: 2010 Plan Target: 20 Per Cent Increase In Rice Production
2010 plan target: 20 per cent increase in rice production
Published on The Brunei Times (http://www.bt.com.bn/en)
2010 plan target: 20 per cent increase in rice production
Working visit: HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (L), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, surveying the Wasan project during his working visit to the rice fields yesterday. Picture:BT/ Saifulizam
Syazwan Sadikin
BRUNEI-MUARA
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
BRUNEI is targeting a 20 per cent, equivalent to a 6000 metric ton increase of local rice production by 2010 for its short-term plan and a 60 per cent (equivalent to 18,000 metric tonnes) increase by 2015 for its medium-term plan towards self-sufficiency in the rice production.
The plans were unveiled during a presentation on rice production projects for His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, during his working visit to the Agriculture Department yesterday.
Among the areas of improvement which were highlighted during the presentation for the Brunei-Muara, Belait and Temburong rice field include new rice fields, enhancing the rice field infrastructure and introducing high yielding variety (HYV) while not relying on photo period-sensitive rice-type.
The costs of implementing the improvements and introducing the high yielding variety are expected to be $50 million.
In Tutong, local rice — pusu, bario and adan — will continue to be the main production due to the small size of the field, lack of adequate water supply and to avoid contamination of drinking water by chemicals used in farming.
To achieve the output in Brunei, more land will come under rice cultivation.
The target to achieve 20 per cent increase by 2010 will see 2,783 hectare allotted for rice production while 5,380 hectare to achieve the 60 per cent target by 2015.
The Agriculture Department has identified three low land areas which have the potential to be developed widely, among them were 1,000 hectare of Piasau-Piasau, Limau Manis and Labi Baru. Currently, the department is conducting research on each of the new areas.
Other factors which are being looked into include enhancing the agronomy field management, skills of the workforce and staff at agriculture, the establishment of the Rice Research Centre as well as improvement of the post-farming and farming technology.
The short-term plan is scheduled to commence in 2009 and is estimated to completed in 2010 while the change of variety will begin after the 2008/2009 sowing season, during the fall of 2009 until mid-2010.
Meanwhile, the medium-term plan on improving the infrastructure of the new areas will commence as early as 2009 and is expected to be completed by 2010.
With adequate irrigation and drainage system, the plans for planting the HYV twice a year will commence as early 2011.
A majority of Brunei's rice is imported, about 29,252 metric tonne (96.7 per cent) of the personal use costing at about $34.19 million.
According to the 2007 statistics, the total of the rice needed for the population of Brunei is 31,242 metric tonnes, costing an estimated $37.05 million.
The total usage per capita is estimated at 80.1kg each person per year.
The Brunei Times
2010 plan target: 20 per cent increase in rice production
Working visit: HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah (L), the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, surveying the Wasan project during his working visit to the rice fields yesterday. Picture:BT/ Saifulizam
Syazwan Sadikin
BRUNEI-MUARA
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
BRUNEI is targeting a 20 per cent, equivalent to a 6000 metric ton increase of local rice production by 2010 for its short-term plan and a 60 per cent (equivalent to 18,000 metric tonnes) increase by 2015 for its medium-term plan towards self-sufficiency in the rice production.
The plans were unveiled during a presentation on rice production projects for His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, during his working visit to the Agriculture Department yesterday.
Among the areas of improvement which were highlighted during the presentation for the Brunei-Muara, Belait and Temburong rice field include new rice fields, enhancing the rice field infrastructure and introducing high yielding variety (HYV) while not relying on photo period-sensitive rice-type.
The costs of implementing the improvements and introducing the high yielding variety are expected to be $50 million.
In Tutong, local rice — pusu, bario and adan — will continue to be the main production due to the small size of the field, lack of adequate water supply and to avoid contamination of drinking water by chemicals used in farming.
To achieve the output in Brunei, more land will come under rice cultivation.
The target to achieve 20 per cent increase by 2010 will see 2,783 hectare allotted for rice production while 5,380 hectare to achieve the 60 per cent target by 2015.
The Agriculture Department has identified three low land areas which have the potential to be developed widely, among them were 1,000 hectare of Piasau-Piasau, Limau Manis and Labi Baru. Currently, the department is conducting research on each of the new areas.
Other factors which are being looked into include enhancing the agronomy field management, skills of the workforce and staff at agriculture, the establishment of the Rice Research Centre as well as improvement of the post-farming and farming technology.
The short-term plan is scheduled to commence in 2009 and is estimated to completed in 2010 while the change of variety will begin after the 2008/2009 sowing season, during the fall of 2009 until mid-2010.
Meanwhile, the medium-term plan on improving the infrastructure of the new areas will commence as early as 2009 and is expected to be completed by 2010.
With adequate irrigation and drainage system, the plans for planting the HYV twice a year will commence as early 2011.
A majority of Brunei's rice is imported, about 29,252 metric tonne (96.7 per cent) of the personal use costing at about $34.19 million.
According to the 2007 statistics, the total of the rice needed for the population of Brunei is 31,242 metric tonnes, costing an estimated $37.05 million.
The total usage per capita is estimated at 80.1kg each person per year.
The Brunei Times
Monday, November 24, 2008
Europe and global food crisis
Europe and global food crisis
MICHEL BARNIER
PARIS
Monday, November 24, 2008
BUT there is more to finding a solution than simply identifying those nations that are capable of feeding the rest of the world. It is increasingly urgent that every nation gain the means of feeding itself. This means that agriculture should become an international priority, with the poorest countries helped to safeguard the security and independence of their food supplies.
Countries and organisations are already mobilising. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation argues that rising food prices could lead to increasing global conflicts. The Davos World Economic Forum ranks food insecurity as a major risk to humanity. The World Bank has forcefully emphasised the importance of agriculture to jump-starting economic expansion and breaking the cycle of poverty. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon has created a working group to define a common plan of action, and Frances President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a global partnership for food.
Sarkozy's proposed partnership has three pillars. First, an international group should draft a worldwide strategy for food security. Second, an international scientific platform should be charged with evaluating the worlds agricultural situation, sending out warnings of upcoming crises, and possibly facilitating governments adoption of political and other strategic tools to deal with food crises.
Finally, the international finance community, despite its current problems, must be mobilised.
The reliability and size of the European Unions farm output means that it can and should play the role of regulator in global markets. If Europe cut back on its agricultural production, the increase in its own food imports would contribute significantly to a worldwide increase in food prices. This makes it imperative that EU food production levels be held steady for the sake of Europeans and of people in the worlds poorest countries.
But Europe cannot build up its own agriculture to the detriment of the less fortunate. So the EU must harmonise its policies with poorer countries. At present, export subsidies and support payments represent less than 1 per cent of the European agricultural budget, and the EU has undertaken to eliminate them once it receives reciprocal undertakings from major food-exporting countries. Since 2001, with the Everything but Arms initiative, all products from poor countries with the exception of weapons and munitions can enter the EU single market on a duty-free basis. This has led to the EU becoming the primary market for the poorest countries products.
The EU is also developing ways to respond to new global challenges through changes to its Common Agricultural Policy. This was reflected in the decision to suspend the set aside rule that requires a proportion of agricultural land to lie fallow. Now the EU is preparing to increase dairy quotas progressively, and evaluating the impact on world markets of its decisions regarding bio-fuels.
But Europes focus must be on encouraging the development of local agriculture. Doing so is the only way to achieve greater global food security and reduce poverty. It will also make it possible to ensure that today's high prices for agricultural products are transformed into opportunity for poor farmers. This is vital because, according to the World Bank, growth in farming eliminates poverty twice as much as growth in any other economic sector. Indeed, agriculture remains the primary productive sector in the worlds poorest countries, employing 65 per cent of the working population and, on average, contributing more than 25 per cent to GDP.
But over the past 20 years, support for agricultural development has been declining. Only 4 per cent of public development assistance is now earmarked for agriculture. The European Commission and EU member states are therefore planning to increase their assistance, both through the European Development Fund and by developing new sources of financial support.
Further liberalisation of farm trade will not ensure food security. Faced with the erratic nature of agricultural markets, regulation is needed to soften the impact on poorer countries of volatile food prices. This does not mean that protectionism is the way forward, only that taking account of specific issues that affect international farm trade weather, price volatility, or health risks may be necessary from time to time.
But, in a world where productivity differentials can be as great as one to 1,000, it would be unwise to rely on markets alone to enable the poorest countries to expand their economies.
Nor is it likely that much economic expansion will result from competition between multinational food distributors and producers in countries where famine still stalks the land.
Instead, bringing together outside expertise and local knowledge of the geography and environmental and economic constraints in order to spread risks and share the management of resources and projects is far more likely to help poor countries achieve food independence.
It was such an approach that, in less than 20 years, helped postwar Europe achieve food sovereignty. Countries that have protected their agricultural development from the threats posed by international markets such as India or Vietnam have achieved substantial reductions in agricultural poverty.
The time has also come to prioritise agriculture in order to ensure growth with a more human face. At the heart of the EU, France wants to play its part in a collective effort that is fast becoming a major issue for us all.
Michel Barnier is Frances Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and was formerly Frances Foreign Minister and EU Commissioner in charge of Regional Policy and the Reform of European Institutions.
Project Syndicate
MICHEL BARNIER
PARIS
Monday, November 24, 2008
BUT there is more to finding a solution than simply identifying those nations that are capable of feeding the rest of the world. It is increasingly urgent that every nation gain the means of feeding itself. This means that agriculture should become an international priority, with the poorest countries helped to safeguard the security and independence of their food supplies.
Countries and organisations are already mobilising. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation argues that rising food prices could lead to increasing global conflicts. The Davos World Economic Forum ranks food insecurity as a major risk to humanity. The World Bank has forcefully emphasised the importance of agriculture to jump-starting economic expansion and breaking the cycle of poverty. UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon has created a working group to define a common plan of action, and Frances President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a global partnership for food.
Sarkozy's proposed partnership has three pillars. First, an international group should draft a worldwide strategy for food security. Second, an international scientific platform should be charged with evaluating the worlds agricultural situation, sending out warnings of upcoming crises, and possibly facilitating governments adoption of political and other strategic tools to deal with food crises.
Finally, the international finance community, despite its current problems, must be mobilised.
The reliability and size of the European Unions farm output means that it can and should play the role of regulator in global markets. If Europe cut back on its agricultural production, the increase in its own food imports would contribute significantly to a worldwide increase in food prices. This makes it imperative that EU food production levels be held steady for the sake of Europeans and of people in the worlds poorest countries.
But Europe cannot build up its own agriculture to the detriment of the less fortunate. So the EU must harmonise its policies with poorer countries. At present, export subsidies and support payments represent less than 1 per cent of the European agricultural budget, and the EU has undertaken to eliminate them once it receives reciprocal undertakings from major food-exporting countries. Since 2001, with the Everything but Arms initiative, all products from poor countries with the exception of weapons and munitions can enter the EU single market on a duty-free basis. This has led to the EU becoming the primary market for the poorest countries products.
The EU is also developing ways to respond to new global challenges through changes to its Common Agricultural Policy. This was reflected in the decision to suspend the set aside rule that requires a proportion of agricultural land to lie fallow. Now the EU is preparing to increase dairy quotas progressively, and evaluating the impact on world markets of its decisions regarding bio-fuels.
But Europes focus must be on encouraging the development of local agriculture. Doing so is the only way to achieve greater global food security and reduce poverty. It will also make it possible to ensure that today's high prices for agricultural products are transformed into opportunity for poor farmers. This is vital because, according to the World Bank, growth in farming eliminates poverty twice as much as growth in any other economic sector. Indeed, agriculture remains the primary productive sector in the worlds poorest countries, employing 65 per cent of the working population and, on average, contributing more than 25 per cent to GDP.
But over the past 20 years, support for agricultural development has been declining. Only 4 per cent of public development assistance is now earmarked for agriculture. The European Commission and EU member states are therefore planning to increase their assistance, both through the European Development Fund and by developing new sources of financial support.
Further liberalisation of farm trade will not ensure food security. Faced with the erratic nature of agricultural markets, regulation is needed to soften the impact on poorer countries of volatile food prices. This does not mean that protectionism is the way forward, only that taking account of specific issues that affect international farm trade weather, price volatility, or health risks may be necessary from time to time.
But, in a world where productivity differentials can be as great as one to 1,000, it would be unwise to rely on markets alone to enable the poorest countries to expand their economies.
Nor is it likely that much economic expansion will result from competition between multinational food distributors and producers in countries where famine still stalks the land.
Instead, bringing together outside expertise and local knowledge of the geography and environmental and economic constraints in order to spread risks and share the management of resources and projects is far more likely to help poor countries achieve food independence.
It was such an approach that, in less than 20 years, helped postwar Europe achieve food sovereignty. Countries that have protected their agricultural development from the threats posed by international markets such as India or Vietnam have achieved substantial reductions in agricultural poverty.
The time has also come to prioritise agriculture in order to ensure growth with a more human face. At the heart of the EU, France wants to play its part in a collective effort that is fast becoming a major issue for us all.
Michel Barnier is Frances Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and was formerly Frances Foreign Minister and EU Commissioner in charge of Regional Policy and the Reform of European Institutions.
Project Syndicate
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Countries hit by falling commodity prices
Countries hit by falling commodity prices
MARTIN KHOR
KUALA LUMPUR
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
COMMODITY prices have begun to decline sharply in the past few months, at a time when the turmoil in global financial markets intensified, and as recessionary conditions took hold in many developed countries.
Malaysia is one of the countries affected. As a net oil exporter, it has been hit by the dramatic fall in the oil price from a peak of US$140 ($210) a barrel just a few months ago to the current price of just above US$60.
Even more significant has been the alarming and quick decline in the price of palm oil. Crude palm oil futures in Malaysia tumbled from a record high of RM4,500 ($1,870) a tonne in early March to about RM1,500 at the end of last week.
This 66 per cent drop is causing incomes to fall correspondingly among the smallholders in Malaysia and Indonesia. According to a Financial Times report, millions of small producers in Indonesia are now struggling to survive.
The price of rubber is also coming under pressure. Last week, officials of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia met in Bangkok and agreed to cut rubber output by 215,000 tonnes in 2009 to boost prices, which according to Thai official had fallen from US$2 a kg a year ago to US$1.72.
The output cuts in the three countries will be through the felling of plantations, reduction of tapping and delay in starting the tapping of new trees by a year, according to a Thai official after the meeting.
The fall in commodity prices is not all bad news. Consumers benefit from lower prices, and manufacturers have lower costs. Importing countries also get reduced import bills.
But for developing countries like Malaysia which are commodity exporters, the losses far outweigh the benefits, as export earnings fall and millions of producers suffer reduced incomes.
For the past few years there has been a boom in prices of most commodities. Some analysts even predicted that there had been a structural shift in commodity trends and the boom would last many years, instead of being part of the usual boom-and-bust cycle.
Other analysts saw the super-boom as partly driven by real demand increase (especially in China) but also significantly driven by speculators. This is now proving correct.
There is a slowdown in demand, but more importantly a flight from commodity markets by speculators, due to the global financial crisis and the deepening recession.
Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation show that for many food commodities, export prices peaked around June and have been declining since, with the price falls intensifying in the past two months. However, prices of most food commodities are still higher than a year ago, with some exceptions.
Meanwhile, the prices of many minerals and metals have also fallen significantly in recent weeks.
The commodity boom seems to be over and is being replaced by a new general commodity price slump.
The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) dropped a further 6 per cent in September, falling to a nine-month low of 188 points. The sharp decline in the index reflected the rapid decrease in international prices of all major food and feed commodities.
The fall in food prices overall was reflected in the decline in indices for cereals, oils and fats, meat and sugar.
After reaching a high of 278 points in June 2008, the FAO Cereal Price Index fell to 228 points in September. The FAO Oils/Fats Price Index fell to 209 points in September, or 28 per cent below the June record.
The FAO Meat Price Index fell to 140 points in September, 4 per cent below its peak in August. And the Dairy Price Index fell to 218 points in September, down almost 12 per cent from August.
According to the FAO report, the fall in prices of most cereals continued in September and into the first week of October.
This was largely in response to favourable prospects for 2008 harvests, the influence of falling crude oil prices and financial turmoil in world economies.
The report gave a detailed account of the price situation in three major cereals wheat, maize and rice.
On rice, the FAO said that expectations of record 2008 padi crops in the northern hemisphere were keeping downward pressure on export prices. The price of Thai white rice 100 per cent B averaged US$764 per tonne in September, about 3 per cent down from August, and fell to US$734 in the first week of October.
The drop in Thai prices over the past few months would likely have been more pronounced had it not been for the country's official procurement programme launched in June.
Indeed, in other export markets the slide has been deeper, with price quotations over the same period down 35 per cent in Vietnam and Pakistan and 16 per cent in the US. However, prices are still well above their values of September 2007 (by 130 per cent in Thailand, 92 per cent in the United States, 74 per cent in Vietnam and 53 per cent in Pakistan).
On wheat, international prices continued to decline sharply. The US wheat price averaged US$308 a tonne in September, and fell to US$264 in the first week of October, about 45 per cent below its peak in March, and 25 per cent down from October 2007.
Maize prices fell further towards the end of September and in early October. The US maize price averaged US$229 per tonne in September, and fell to US$184 in the first week of October, 35 per cent below the peak in June, but still 13 per cent above October last year.
According to the FAO, 36 countries are in need of external assistance as a result of crop failures, conflict or insecurity, natural disasters, and high domestic food prices.
The Star/ANN
MARTIN KHOR
KUALA LUMPUR
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
COMMODITY prices have begun to decline sharply in the past few months, at a time when the turmoil in global financial markets intensified, and as recessionary conditions took hold in many developed countries.
Malaysia is one of the countries affected. As a net oil exporter, it has been hit by the dramatic fall in the oil price from a peak of US$140 ($210) a barrel just a few months ago to the current price of just above US$60.
Even more significant has been the alarming and quick decline in the price of palm oil. Crude palm oil futures in Malaysia tumbled from a record high of RM4,500 ($1,870) a tonne in early March to about RM1,500 at the end of last week.
This 66 per cent drop is causing incomes to fall correspondingly among the smallholders in Malaysia and Indonesia. According to a Financial Times report, millions of small producers in Indonesia are now struggling to survive.
The price of rubber is also coming under pressure. Last week, officials of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia met in Bangkok and agreed to cut rubber output by 215,000 tonnes in 2009 to boost prices, which according to Thai official had fallen from US$2 a kg a year ago to US$1.72.
The output cuts in the three countries will be through the felling of plantations, reduction of tapping and delay in starting the tapping of new trees by a year, according to a Thai official after the meeting.
The fall in commodity prices is not all bad news. Consumers benefit from lower prices, and manufacturers have lower costs. Importing countries also get reduced import bills.
But for developing countries like Malaysia which are commodity exporters, the losses far outweigh the benefits, as export earnings fall and millions of producers suffer reduced incomes.
For the past few years there has been a boom in prices of most commodities. Some analysts even predicted that there had been a structural shift in commodity trends and the boom would last many years, instead of being part of the usual boom-and-bust cycle.
Other analysts saw the super-boom as partly driven by real demand increase (especially in China) but also significantly driven by speculators. This is now proving correct.
There is a slowdown in demand, but more importantly a flight from commodity markets by speculators, due to the global financial crisis and the deepening recession.
Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation show that for many food commodities, export prices peaked around June and have been declining since, with the price falls intensifying in the past two months. However, prices of most food commodities are still higher than a year ago, with some exceptions.
Meanwhile, the prices of many minerals and metals have also fallen significantly in recent weeks.
The commodity boom seems to be over and is being replaced by a new general commodity price slump.
The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) dropped a further 6 per cent in September, falling to a nine-month low of 188 points. The sharp decline in the index reflected the rapid decrease in international prices of all major food and feed commodities.
The fall in food prices overall was reflected in the decline in indices for cereals, oils and fats, meat and sugar.
After reaching a high of 278 points in June 2008, the FAO Cereal Price Index fell to 228 points in September. The FAO Oils/Fats Price Index fell to 209 points in September, or 28 per cent below the June record.
The FAO Meat Price Index fell to 140 points in September, 4 per cent below its peak in August. And the Dairy Price Index fell to 218 points in September, down almost 12 per cent from August.
According to the FAO report, the fall in prices of most cereals continued in September and into the first week of October.
This was largely in response to favourable prospects for 2008 harvests, the influence of falling crude oil prices and financial turmoil in world economies.
The report gave a detailed account of the price situation in three major cereals wheat, maize and rice.
On rice, the FAO said that expectations of record 2008 padi crops in the northern hemisphere were keeping downward pressure on export prices. The price of Thai white rice 100 per cent B averaged US$764 per tonne in September, about 3 per cent down from August, and fell to US$734 in the first week of October.
The drop in Thai prices over the past few months would likely have been more pronounced had it not been for the country's official procurement programme launched in June.
Indeed, in other export markets the slide has been deeper, with price quotations over the same period down 35 per cent in Vietnam and Pakistan and 16 per cent in the US. However, prices are still well above their values of September 2007 (by 130 per cent in Thailand, 92 per cent in the United States, 74 per cent in Vietnam and 53 per cent in Pakistan).
On wheat, international prices continued to decline sharply. The US wheat price averaged US$308 a tonne in September, and fell to US$264 in the first week of October, about 45 per cent below its peak in March, and 25 per cent down from October 2007.
Maize prices fell further towards the end of September and in early October. The US maize price averaged US$229 per tonne in September, and fell to US$184 in the first week of October, 35 per cent below the peak in June, but still 13 per cent above October last year.
According to the FAO, 36 countries are in need of external assistance as a result of crop failures, conflict or insecurity, natural disasters, and high domestic food prices.
The Star/ANN
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
MIPR serious about food security
MIPR serious about food security
Attentive:(Top) Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya discussing during his working visit to KKP Lot Mobil (Cadangan Padi MOF & DOA) at Mukim Labi, Belait District. (Above) One and of the farmers planting padi during the visit by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources. Pictures: BT/Zamri Zainal
NURUL ARIPIN
BELAIT
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
THE Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar made a whole-day working visit to the padi plantation areas in the Belait District yesterday.
In line with the ministry's efforts and initiative
through the Agriculture Department in dealing with the country's food safety issues, especially rice, the working visit aimed to observe closely the present padi plantation areas and other areas seen as having the potential to develop as well as to improve local padi production in the country, as to enhance domestic production.
The minister and officers were welcomed at the Labi multipurpose hall where they were briefed on the areas to be covered for the visit by Hj Kamarhan Atma, the village headman of Mukim Labi.
The minister made his first visit to Lot Sengkuang, Mukim Labi, the largest padi byproduct contributors for the Belait District. The area covered 155 hectares with 111 farmers and has currently produced 192.5 metric tonnes of padi.
During the working visit, the minister was also told of a new type of rice seed that is undergoing development by industrialists with the support of Agriculture Department.
Dubbed as BDR1, this rice seed is capable of producing twice as much production as the recent production capacity.
BDR1 is also capable of producing better quality rice that would be more in favour of the locals' taste.
In addition, BDR1 also has the potential to take over traditional rice products such as PUSU, BARIO and ADAN.
The minister then proceeded with a visit to Kawasan Kemajuan Pertanian (KKP) Rampayoh, Mukim Labi, an area which consists of a fruit and vegetable production site and goat livestock on an area of 78.16 hectare, which is currently managed by 10 plantation companies.
This was followed by a visit to another padi plantation area, Ladang Perusahaan Warisan Jasa, which is managed by Datin Hjh Hazizah Hj Adam.
A mass Zohor prayer as well as lunch was held at Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Major General (B) Hj Sahari Ahmad's residence.
The working visit concluded with afternoon visits to SCY Farm and the Forestry Department in Badas.
The Brunei Times
Attentive:(Top) Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya discussing during his working visit to KKP Lot Mobil (Cadangan Padi MOF & DOA) at Mukim Labi, Belait District. (Above) One and of the farmers planting padi during the visit by the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources. Pictures: BT/Zamri Zainal
NURUL ARIPIN
BELAIT
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
THE Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar made a whole-day working visit to the padi plantation areas in the Belait District yesterday.
In line with the ministry's efforts and initiative
through the Agriculture Department in dealing with the country's food safety issues, especially rice, the working visit aimed to observe closely the present padi plantation areas and other areas seen as having the potential to develop as well as to improve local padi production in the country, as to enhance domestic production.
The minister and officers were welcomed at the Labi multipurpose hall where they were briefed on the areas to be covered for the visit by Hj Kamarhan Atma, the village headman of Mukim Labi.
The minister made his first visit to Lot Sengkuang, Mukim Labi, the largest padi byproduct contributors for the Belait District. The area covered 155 hectares with 111 farmers and has currently produced 192.5 metric tonnes of padi.
During the working visit, the minister was also told of a new type of rice seed that is undergoing development by industrialists with the support of Agriculture Department.
Dubbed as BDR1, this rice seed is capable of producing twice as much production as the recent production capacity.
BDR1 is also capable of producing better quality rice that would be more in favour of the locals' taste.
In addition, BDR1 also has the potential to take over traditional rice products such as PUSU, BARIO and ADAN.
The minister then proceeded with a visit to Kawasan Kemajuan Pertanian (KKP) Rampayoh, Mukim Labi, an area which consists of a fruit and vegetable production site and goat livestock on an area of 78.16 hectare, which is currently managed by 10 plantation companies.
This was followed by a visit to another padi plantation area, Ladang Perusahaan Warisan Jasa, which is managed by Datin Hjh Hazizah Hj Adam.
A mass Zohor prayer as well as lunch was held at Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Major General (B) Hj Sahari Ahmad's residence.
The working visit concluded with afternoon visits to SCY Farm and the Forestry Department in Badas.
The Brunei Times
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ensuring Brunei food security
Ensuring Brunei food security
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
THE key issue of improving national food security was the most important item in the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of his 62nd birthday on July 15 this year. Highlighting the need to increase domestic rice production His Majesty asked why when countries which were already producing 70 per cent of their own needs were legislating to produce 100 per cent when Brunei which was only producing 3.12 per cent of its needs not making any effort to increase its rice production. Pointing to the current food crisis compounded by the diversion of grains to bio-fuel production, His Majesty stressed, "The attitude of completely relying on dollars to fill stomachs is no longer relevant with the emergence of this crisis."
There has been a dearth of discussion on this topic since it was highlighted. The Brunei Times in an article published on July 31, asked in the heading: "Is Brunei well-equipped to expand its agriculture industry?" The writer of the article noted production had fallen 74.5 per cent from 4,259 tonnes in 1977 to the current 1,084 tonnes. He notes that despite agriculture being a part of Brunei culture and tradition on a very small proportion of its population is still engaged in the sector — mainly retired military personnel and a few from the older generation. The younger set is drawn towards more glamorous professions such as banking, IT, SMEs or the civil service. The writer argues despite more land being made available such as the 484-hectare land at Bukit Sawat in the Belait District by the Agricultural Department and the small number of the younger generation taking up managerial or administrative positions in the agricultural sector in the near future, it may not be quite enough to achieve His Majesty's goal of self-sufficiency.
No blame is placed on the Agriculture Department which it was noted is assisting local co-operatives like the Koperasi Setia Kawan (Koseka), to increase Brunei's self-sufficiency rate by seven per cent by 2010 in the way of subsidies for fertilisers, pesticides and farming equipment. Like the cattle ranch at Willeroo in the Northern Territory of Australia to provide the Sultanate with beef, the possiblity of buying a piece of land outside the country to supply rice to Brunei is mooted. This is a real possibility and has been applied by some Middle-Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia.
However, can we just conclude that it is too costly to produce in Brunei as it makes good economic sense now in the light of costly subsidies and rising prices of fertilisers in the wake of rising oil prices. Brunei being also an oil producer can compensate for this. Its oil resources will not last forever and oil prices have begun falling in the wake of the onset the current global economic crunch and the ensuing panic in global stock markets. In any scenario, the current rice self sufficiency of 3.12 per cent and dropping is critical and unacceptable and must be addressed.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
THE key issue of improving national food security was the most important item in the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of his 62nd birthday on July 15 this year. Highlighting the need to increase domestic rice production His Majesty asked why when countries which were already producing 70 per cent of their own needs were legislating to produce 100 per cent when Brunei which was only producing 3.12 per cent of its needs not making any effort to increase its rice production. Pointing to the current food crisis compounded by the diversion of grains to bio-fuel production, His Majesty stressed, "The attitude of completely relying on dollars to fill stomachs is no longer relevant with the emergence of this crisis."
There has been a dearth of discussion on this topic since it was highlighted. The Brunei Times in an article published on July 31, asked in the heading: "Is Brunei well-equipped to expand its agriculture industry?" The writer of the article noted production had fallen 74.5 per cent from 4,259 tonnes in 1977 to the current 1,084 tonnes. He notes that despite agriculture being a part of Brunei culture and tradition on a very small proportion of its population is still engaged in the sector — mainly retired military personnel and a few from the older generation. The younger set is drawn towards more glamorous professions such as banking, IT, SMEs or the civil service. The writer argues despite more land being made available such as the 484-hectare land at Bukit Sawat in the Belait District by the Agricultural Department and the small number of the younger generation taking up managerial or administrative positions in the agricultural sector in the near future, it may not be quite enough to achieve His Majesty's goal of self-sufficiency.
No blame is placed on the Agriculture Department which it was noted is assisting local co-operatives like the Koperasi Setia Kawan (Koseka), to increase Brunei's self-sufficiency rate by seven per cent by 2010 in the way of subsidies for fertilisers, pesticides and farming equipment. Like the cattle ranch at Willeroo in the Northern Territory of Australia to provide the Sultanate with beef, the possiblity of buying a piece of land outside the country to supply rice to Brunei is mooted. This is a real possibility and has been applied by some Middle-Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia.
However, can we just conclude that it is too costly to produce in Brunei as it makes good economic sense now in the light of costly subsidies and rising prices of fertilisers in the wake of rising oil prices. Brunei being also an oil producer can compensate for this. Its oil resources will not last forever and oil prices have begun falling in the wake of the onset the current global economic crunch and the ensuing panic in global stock markets. In any scenario, the current rice self sufficiency of 3.12 per cent and dropping is critical and unacceptable and must be addressed.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Global food situation at crossroads: IRRI
Global food situation at crossroads: IRRI
Precious commodity: Filipino gene bank technician Bernardo Mercado shows rice samples from Thailand and Myanmar to be stored inside the International Rice Research Institute's headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna province, south of Manila. Picture: EPA
MANILA
Monday, September 22, 2008
SAGGING farm productivity and increasing demand have brought the world to a crossroads in terms of food security, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said yesterday.
Failure to act now could lead to a long-term crisis that will make this year's price spikes seem a mere blip on the radar, said IRRI, the world's leading rice research and training centre which is based outside Manila.
"Declining agricultural productivity and continued growing demand have brought the world food situation to a crossroads," it said in a statement on its website.
IRRI called on governments to reinvest in agriculture including research into improved technologies, infrastructure development, as well as training and education of agricultural scientists.
"Growth in agricultural productivity is the only way to ensure that people have access to enough affordable food," said Elizabeth Woods, the chairwoman of IRRI's board of trustees.
"Achieving this is a long-term effort. A year or two of extra funding for agricultural research is not enough," she said.
Woods said the annual rice yield growth rate has dropped to less than one per cent in recent years, compared with 2.3 per cent between 1967 and 90.
Based on projected income and population growth, annual productivity growth of almost 1.5 per cent will be needed at least until 2020.
IRRI's warning coincided with the release of a report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation which said higher food prices are partly to blame for the number of hungry people growing by 75 million to about 925 million worldwide.
The Asian Development Bank recently said that for Asian countries to prevent future food price surges, the agricultural sector needs wide-scale structural reform.
The ADB has increased the poverty level from US$1 a day to US$1.35 a day, meaning that millions more people are now considered impoverished.
The price of rice, one of the world's staple grains, spiked at more than US$1,000 a tonne in May before settling at around US$700 a tonne still double the price of a year ago, IRRI said.AFP
Precious commodity: Filipino gene bank technician Bernardo Mercado shows rice samples from Thailand and Myanmar to be stored inside the International Rice Research Institute's headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna province, south of Manila. Picture: EPA
MANILA
Monday, September 22, 2008
SAGGING farm productivity and increasing demand have brought the world to a crossroads in terms of food security, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said yesterday.
Failure to act now could lead to a long-term crisis that will make this year's price spikes seem a mere blip on the radar, said IRRI, the world's leading rice research and training centre which is based outside Manila.
"Declining agricultural productivity and continued growing demand have brought the world food situation to a crossroads," it said in a statement on its website.
IRRI called on governments to reinvest in agriculture including research into improved technologies, infrastructure development, as well as training and education of agricultural scientists.
"Growth in agricultural productivity is the only way to ensure that people have access to enough affordable food," said Elizabeth Woods, the chairwoman of IRRI's board of trustees.
"Achieving this is a long-term effort. A year or two of extra funding for agricultural research is not enough," she said.
Woods said the annual rice yield growth rate has dropped to less than one per cent in recent years, compared with 2.3 per cent between 1967 and 90.
Based on projected income and population growth, annual productivity growth of almost 1.5 per cent will be needed at least until 2020.
IRRI's warning coincided with the release of a report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation which said higher food prices are partly to blame for the number of hungry people growing by 75 million to about 925 million worldwide.
The Asian Development Bank recently said that for Asian countries to prevent future food price surges, the agricultural sector needs wide-scale structural reform.
The ADB has increased the poverty level from US$1 a day to US$1.35 a day, meaning that millions more people are now considered impoverished.
The price of rice, one of the world's staple grains, spiked at more than US$1,000 a tonne in May before settling at around US$700 a tonne still double the price of a year ago, IRRI said.AFP
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Sarawak soon to become Malaysia's top producer of rice
Sarawak soon to become Malaysia's top producer of rice
Regional industry: Top, rice drying outside a traditional long house. Bottom, paddy fields in Bario in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. Pictures: flickr.com, picasaweb.google.com
JULIA YEOW
KUALA LUMPUR
Saturday, July 26, 2008
ONCE known for its untamed forests, rich cultural diversity and some of Asia's most exotic beasts, Malaysia's state of Sarawak on Borneo island might soon add another feather to its cap of attributes — the country's major producer of rice. The government is looking to the country's largest state, which covers five million hectares and makes up 35 per cent of Malaysia's land, as a potential key to resolving the increasingly worrying problem of low rice yields.
Rice, a staple food in Malaysian homes, has traditionally been planted in the northern states of eastern Malaysia, namely in Kedah, which is also known as the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia".
Kedah, and to a lesser extent the neighbouring state of Perlis, used to account for more than half the total 700,000 hectares of rice fields in the country, but over the past five years, an increasing number of paddy fields have been abandoned, largely because of a labour shortage, higher energy and fertiliser costs, and declining soil quality.
In 2000, the country produced 2.36 million tons of rice, or slightly less than 75 per cent of what the country consumed, leading the government to import more than 500,000 tons of rice from neighbouring Thailand and other countries, such as Myanmar and India.
Six years later, Malaysia's rice production covered barely 70 per cent of the needs of its 26 million people. Government agencies have said that unless the trend is reversed, the country would have to import close to 40 per cent of its rice by 2010.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently shelved several large developmental projects to pledge an additional US$9 billion ($12 billion) to raise rice production and ease poverty in the country as food prices escalate.
The government has also now turned to Sarawak and the smaller neighbouring state of Sabah in its hopes to raise the nation's rice self-sufficiency to at least 80 per cent by 2010.
Agriculture Minister Mustapa Mohamed told Parliament recently that aid would be given to rice-production ventures in the state, adding that several large areas of land in Sarawak had already been identified as possible cultivation sites.
"We want to strive so that Sabah and Sarawak can produce up to 86 per cent of the country's production," Mustapa said.
Abdullah's government has also urged private corporations to take up large-scale food-production ventures.
The first to take up the challenge was palm oil giant Sime Darby, which recently announced it has identified 7,000 hectares of land in Sarawak suitable for rice cultivation.
Sime Darby, the world's largest producer of palm oil, plans to use advanced technology rather than existing production methods to produce higher rice yields, chairman Musa Hitam said.
"God willing, it will be more than the average produced now," he said. "The Sarawak state government is positive about this, and they will make available more land."
Musa, who said details of the project have yet to be released, promised other similar ventures were to come.
Aside from opening up new land for cultivation, state Deputy Chief Minister George Chan has urged the government to introduce more financial incentives to farmers to improve planting methods.
"Our people have been planting paddy on the best spot for years, so it's best to improve existing farms," he said.
Chan also hailed new research efforts to come up with hybrid rice stocks.
"We have to think ahead and start producing rice with a certain value," he said.
While hopes are riding high that new technology and ample land in Sarawak would be the answer to the country's food shortage, others are concerned about the inevitable environmental impact that widespread clearance of land for paddy cultivation would have on the state's ecosystem.
"The effects go beyond the sheer disappearance of trees," said Shailendra Yashwant, campaign director of Greenpeace South-East Asia. "We are talking about biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, social upheaval and yet another spike in greenhouse gas emissions, all of which Malaysia can ill afford."
But with increasing prices of fuel and no immediate end to surges in the global prices of food, environmental losses could become an occupational hazard if more corporations look to Sarawak as they hop onto the rice-producing bandwagon.
DPA
Regional industry: Top, rice drying outside a traditional long house. Bottom, paddy fields in Bario in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak. Pictures: flickr.com, picasaweb.google.com
JULIA YEOW
KUALA LUMPUR
Saturday, July 26, 2008
ONCE known for its untamed forests, rich cultural diversity and some of Asia's most exotic beasts, Malaysia's state of Sarawak on Borneo island might soon add another feather to its cap of attributes — the country's major producer of rice. The government is looking to the country's largest state, which covers five million hectares and makes up 35 per cent of Malaysia's land, as a potential key to resolving the increasingly worrying problem of low rice yields.
Rice, a staple food in Malaysian homes, has traditionally been planted in the northern states of eastern Malaysia, namely in Kedah, which is also known as the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia".
Kedah, and to a lesser extent the neighbouring state of Perlis, used to account for more than half the total 700,000 hectares of rice fields in the country, but over the past five years, an increasing number of paddy fields have been abandoned, largely because of a labour shortage, higher energy and fertiliser costs, and declining soil quality.
In 2000, the country produced 2.36 million tons of rice, or slightly less than 75 per cent of what the country consumed, leading the government to import more than 500,000 tons of rice from neighbouring Thailand and other countries, such as Myanmar and India.
Six years later, Malaysia's rice production covered barely 70 per cent of the needs of its 26 million people. Government agencies have said that unless the trend is reversed, the country would have to import close to 40 per cent of its rice by 2010.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently shelved several large developmental projects to pledge an additional US$9 billion ($12 billion) to raise rice production and ease poverty in the country as food prices escalate.
The government has also now turned to Sarawak and the smaller neighbouring state of Sabah in its hopes to raise the nation's rice self-sufficiency to at least 80 per cent by 2010.
Agriculture Minister Mustapa Mohamed told Parliament recently that aid would be given to rice-production ventures in the state, adding that several large areas of land in Sarawak had already been identified as possible cultivation sites.
"We want to strive so that Sabah and Sarawak can produce up to 86 per cent of the country's production," Mustapa said.
Abdullah's government has also urged private corporations to take up large-scale food-production ventures.
The first to take up the challenge was palm oil giant Sime Darby, which recently announced it has identified 7,000 hectares of land in Sarawak suitable for rice cultivation.
Sime Darby, the world's largest producer of palm oil, plans to use advanced technology rather than existing production methods to produce higher rice yields, chairman Musa Hitam said.
"God willing, it will be more than the average produced now," he said. "The Sarawak state government is positive about this, and they will make available more land."
Musa, who said details of the project have yet to be released, promised other similar ventures were to come.
Aside from opening up new land for cultivation, state Deputy Chief Minister George Chan has urged the government to introduce more financial incentives to farmers to improve planting methods.
"Our people have been planting paddy on the best spot for years, so it's best to improve existing farms," he said.
Chan also hailed new research efforts to come up with hybrid rice stocks.
"We have to think ahead and start producing rice with a certain value," he said.
While hopes are riding high that new technology and ample land in Sarawak would be the answer to the country's food shortage, others are concerned about the inevitable environmental impact that widespread clearance of land for paddy cultivation would have on the state's ecosystem.
"The effects go beyond the sheer disappearance of trees," said Shailendra Yashwant, campaign director of Greenpeace South-East Asia. "We are talking about biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, social upheaval and yet another spike in greenhouse gas emissions, all of which Malaysia can ill afford."
But with increasing prices of fuel and no immediate end to surges in the global prices of food, environmental losses could become an occupational hazard if more corporations look to Sarawak as they hop onto the rice-producing bandwagon.
DPA
Utilise technology to boost rice production
Utilise technology to boost rice production
Rice planting: If Brunei wants to be self-sufficient in rice production, it should utilise high-yielding seeds and machineries to boost production. Picture: BT file
Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, July 26, 2008
LOCAL rice farmers should be making use of high-yielding seeds and mechanised farming to fast-track Brunei's scant production levels of the staple food towards self-sufficiency, the country's biggest rice distributor said.
The high-yielding seeds cost more than the pusu seeds traditionally used by most local rice farmers, but the resulting crops can be harvested two to three times a year, said Chai Yum Fatt, the general manager of Asia Enterprise.
A shift in the use of seeds by the majority of Brunei's rice farmers could increase Brunei's self-sufficiency in rice which stood at a paltry 3.2 per cent last year in a shorter span of time, said Chai.
"With five acres of land you can produce eight to 10 tonnes of crops using the high-quality seeds," he said. Pusu seeds, according to Chai, can only produce 2.5 tonnes of harvest from five acres of land.
Asia Enterprise, the sole commercial venture in the country's agricultural sector, acquires the seeds from China and Taiwan, which cost about US$2.80 per kilo. Chai said the company is currently testing out six to seven different types of high-yielding seeds since last year to determine which would grow best in Brunei soil and produce the best results for Brunei consumers.
"The seeds that we have tested tend to produce shorter crops, which in our opinion is easier to harvest. The pusu seeds produce taller crops, which are prone to damage from strong winds," he said.
Only a minority of the local farmers are testing out new types of seeds to boost production, he added.
Datin Hjh Hazizah Hj Adam, who has been running a rice farm in Labi, Belait District since 1995, said she took a risk by planting hybrid seeds provided by the Department of Agriculture three years ago.
"I think not many people are planting these seeds because they are unsure of the results that it will bring, whether the consumers would actually like the finished product," said Datin Hjh Hazizah, who now has a 30-acre field and grows both types of seeds.
"People have been buying both my products from my stall at the Sumbangsih Mulia Complex, and they seem to like it. Both types don't taste the same but are not too different. You just have to know how to promote your products, and always refer to the Agricultural Department for advice and support," she said.
When she first started out, no machinery was used to plough the fields, cut the grass or spray pesticides over the crops. Once she realised that her business was about to get serious, she applied for a grant for subsidies from the agricultural department for farming machinery to boost production. Fertilisers and pesticides are also subsidised by the government, said Datin Hjh Hazizah.
According to Chai, mechanised farming is uncommon amongst local farmers, where the use of technology is limited to some family businesses run by retirees and ex-army officers.
"There are some who don't believe in technology, since most of those involved in the sector are of the older generation. Since long ago they haven't been using fertilisers and such, let alone technology," explained Datin Hj Hazizah. "There are quite a few who are planting rice just to pass the time during their retirement years."
Brunei's agricultural sector recently received a wake-up call when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam warned in his 62nd birthday titah that the Sultanate must step up agricultural production and make food security a priority.
The monarch's warning comes as global food prices rise, which earlier this year sparked riots and protests in some countries, and restrictions on food exports by others. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), agriculture accounted for less than one per cent of Brunei's nominal gross domestic product in 2006. The country also imports more than 80 per cent of its food, the WTO said.
The Brunei Times
Rice planting: If Brunei wants to be self-sufficient in rice production, it should utilise high-yielding seeds and machineries to boost production. Picture: BT file
Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, July 26, 2008
LOCAL rice farmers should be making use of high-yielding seeds and mechanised farming to fast-track Brunei's scant production levels of the staple food towards self-sufficiency, the country's biggest rice distributor said.
The high-yielding seeds cost more than the pusu seeds traditionally used by most local rice farmers, but the resulting crops can be harvested two to three times a year, said Chai Yum Fatt, the general manager of Asia Enterprise.
A shift in the use of seeds by the majority of Brunei's rice farmers could increase Brunei's self-sufficiency in rice which stood at a paltry 3.2 per cent last year in a shorter span of time, said Chai.
"With five acres of land you can produce eight to 10 tonnes of crops using the high-quality seeds," he said. Pusu seeds, according to Chai, can only produce 2.5 tonnes of harvest from five acres of land.
Asia Enterprise, the sole commercial venture in the country's agricultural sector, acquires the seeds from China and Taiwan, which cost about US$2.80 per kilo. Chai said the company is currently testing out six to seven different types of high-yielding seeds since last year to determine which would grow best in Brunei soil and produce the best results for Brunei consumers.
"The seeds that we have tested tend to produce shorter crops, which in our opinion is easier to harvest. The pusu seeds produce taller crops, which are prone to damage from strong winds," he said.
Only a minority of the local farmers are testing out new types of seeds to boost production, he added.
Datin Hjh Hazizah Hj Adam, who has been running a rice farm in Labi, Belait District since 1995, said she took a risk by planting hybrid seeds provided by the Department of Agriculture three years ago.
"I think not many people are planting these seeds because they are unsure of the results that it will bring, whether the consumers would actually like the finished product," said Datin Hjh Hazizah, who now has a 30-acre field and grows both types of seeds.
"People have been buying both my products from my stall at the Sumbangsih Mulia Complex, and they seem to like it. Both types don't taste the same but are not too different. You just have to know how to promote your products, and always refer to the Agricultural Department for advice and support," she said.
When she first started out, no machinery was used to plough the fields, cut the grass or spray pesticides over the crops. Once she realised that her business was about to get serious, she applied for a grant for subsidies from the agricultural department for farming machinery to boost production. Fertilisers and pesticides are also subsidised by the government, said Datin Hjh Hazizah.
According to Chai, mechanised farming is uncommon amongst local farmers, where the use of technology is limited to some family businesses run by retirees and ex-army officers.
"There are some who don't believe in technology, since most of those involved in the sector are of the older generation. Since long ago they haven't been using fertilisers and such, let alone technology," explained Datin Hj Hazizah. "There are quite a few who are planting rice just to pass the time during their retirement years."
Brunei's agricultural sector recently received a wake-up call when His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam warned in his 62nd birthday titah that the Sultanate must step up agricultural production and make food security a priority.
The monarch's warning comes as global food prices rise, which earlier this year sparked riots and protests in some countries, and restrictions on food exports by others. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), agriculture accounted for less than one per cent of Brunei's nominal gross domestic product in 2006. The country also imports more than 80 per cent of its food, the WTO said.
The Brunei Times
Thursday, July 24, 2008
484 hectares in Belait eyed for farm goods production
484 hectares in Belait eyed for farm goods production
SOBRINA ROSLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, July 24, 2008
THE Department of Agriculture is looking for farmers and agricultural companies interested in participating in the development of a 484-hectare land to help ease the country's dependence on farm commodities.
"Some farmers have shown interest in taking up the offer to develop the Bukit Sawat land (in the Belait district), confirmed players are still being awaited," Mohammad Sufri Abdullah, acting director of the department, said in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"We are looking for more farmers who are willing to take up the offer."
Various proposals have been received to develop the land, including projects to breed goats and chicken, he said.
Among the challenges in realising this agricultural development plan is attracting farmers and companies willing to develop land located in urban areas such as the Bukit Sawat area, he explained.
"Most investors would want the location to be nearest to them such as in Bandar, but places like Bukit Sawat are still considered far for them."
It could not be immediately verified as of yesterday what types of incentives await farmers and companies that will take up the offer to participate in this agricultural land development.
Moreover, the property has yet to be gazetted to the Department of Agriculture. Only after this is done will the department be authorised to push through the project.
"The problem we usually have is that the land has not been gazetted to the agriculture department. The land is still under the Ministry of Development. We are waiting for that," he said.
During His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei's 62nd Birthday Titah, His Majesty called upon government agencies concerned to develop a strategic plan and a national agricultural policy to guarantee national food security.
Brunei's rice production over the last 30 years had dropped by a drastic 74.5 per cent. In 1977, Brunei produced 4,259 tonnes of rice. Last year, this dropped 72.5 per cent to 1,084 tonnes. Brunei's rice production hit a record high of 9,766 tonnes in 1974.
During the 4th Legislative Council Meeting earlier this year Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, said that Brunei Darussalam's self-sufficiency in rice was 3.2 per cent in 2007. Local production stood at 895.3 metric tonnes while total consumption was 31,082 metric tonnes in 2006.
The Brunei Times
SOBRINA ROSLI
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, July 24, 2008
THE Department of Agriculture is looking for farmers and agricultural companies interested in participating in the development of a 484-hectare land to help ease the country's dependence on farm commodities.
"Some farmers have shown interest in taking up the offer to develop the Bukit Sawat land (in the Belait district), confirmed players are still being awaited," Mohammad Sufri Abdullah, acting director of the department, said in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"We are looking for more farmers who are willing to take up the offer."
Various proposals have been received to develop the land, including projects to breed goats and chicken, he said.
Among the challenges in realising this agricultural development plan is attracting farmers and companies willing to develop land located in urban areas such as the Bukit Sawat area, he explained.
"Most investors would want the location to be nearest to them such as in Bandar, but places like Bukit Sawat are still considered far for them."
It could not be immediately verified as of yesterday what types of incentives await farmers and companies that will take up the offer to participate in this agricultural land development.
Moreover, the property has yet to be gazetted to the Department of Agriculture. Only after this is done will the department be authorised to push through the project.
"The problem we usually have is that the land has not been gazetted to the agriculture department. The land is still under the Ministry of Development. We are waiting for that," he said.
During His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei's 62nd Birthday Titah, His Majesty called upon government agencies concerned to develop a strategic plan and a national agricultural policy to guarantee national food security.
Brunei's rice production over the last 30 years had dropped by a drastic 74.5 per cent. In 1977, Brunei produced 4,259 tonnes of rice. Last year, this dropped 72.5 per cent to 1,084 tonnes. Brunei's rice production hit a record high of 9,766 tonnes in 1974.
During the 4th Legislative Council Meeting earlier this year Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, said that Brunei Darussalam's self-sufficiency in rice was 3.2 per cent in 2007. Local production stood at 895.3 metric tonnes while total consumption was 31,082 metric tonnes in 2006.
The Brunei Times
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Boost rice production by commercialising sector
Boost rice production by commercialising sector
Bountiful harvest: The general manager of rice distributor Asia Enterprise said that if Brunei wants to enhance rice production, it should encourage local distributors to increase their yield. Picture: BT file
Adilah Ishak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BRUNEI needs to commercialise the production of rice if it is to increase rice production, according to the general manager of a local rice distribut0r.
Chai Yum Fatt from Asia Enterprise, which is the largest rice distributor in Brunei at present, added that the Agriculture Department should encourage local distributors to increase their yield towards boosting output.
Chai has been approached by the department to discuss the national need to cultivate more rice locally.
Recently, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his birthday titah said Brunei can no longer depend on other countries to export rice given the rising prices of food.
Currently, Brunei imports 97 per cent of its rice from Thailand, and grows the rest locally.
Last Saturday, July 19, His Majesty visited the Asia Enterprise rice fields in Kuala Belait to get a first-hand look at the process of rice production.
The firm has 30 acres of land designated for rice cultivation. They are able to harvest three times a year with 38 tonnes per harvest.The next harvest will be on July 27.
According to Chai, he had applied for more land to cultivate rice but has yet to receive a positive response.
Besides big businesses like Asia Enterprise, small rice cultivators also play an important role in enhancing the local rice industry.
However, small-time cultivators have found their efforts to boost their rice production hampered by lack of assistance from the agriculture department.
For instance, Inche Said Hj Ahmad, a former member of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, has been cultivating rice since 2006. He specialises in beras pusu and sells the rice to friends and family as well as to the Agriculture Department.
However, he regularly faces problems with irrigation and pests. He has asked for help from the department, but received limited response.
Meanwhile, another rice cultivator who wished to remain anonymous said that she harvests her crops twice a year.
She has 35 acres of land reserved for rice plantation.
After His Majesty's titah, she hopes that the Agriculture Department will be more helpful in improving the harvest.
The agriculture department declined to comment on the issue. The Brunei Times
Bountiful harvest: The general manager of rice distributor Asia Enterprise said that if Brunei wants to enhance rice production, it should encourage local distributors to increase their yield. Picture: BT file
Adilah Ishak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BRUNEI needs to commercialise the production of rice if it is to increase rice production, according to the general manager of a local rice distribut0r.
Chai Yum Fatt from Asia Enterprise, which is the largest rice distributor in Brunei at present, added that the Agriculture Department should encourage local distributors to increase their yield towards boosting output.
Chai has been approached by the department to discuss the national need to cultivate more rice locally.
Recently, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in his birthday titah said Brunei can no longer depend on other countries to export rice given the rising prices of food.
Currently, Brunei imports 97 per cent of its rice from Thailand, and grows the rest locally.
Last Saturday, July 19, His Majesty visited the Asia Enterprise rice fields in Kuala Belait to get a first-hand look at the process of rice production.
The firm has 30 acres of land designated for rice cultivation. They are able to harvest three times a year with 38 tonnes per harvest.The next harvest will be on July 27.
According to Chai, he had applied for more land to cultivate rice but has yet to receive a positive response.
Besides big businesses like Asia Enterprise, small rice cultivators also play an important role in enhancing the local rice industry.
However, small-time cultivators have found their efforts to boost their rice production hampered by lack of assistance from the agriculture department.
For instance, Inche Said Hj Ahmad, a former member of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, has been cultivating rice since 2006. He specialises in beras pusu and sells the rice to friends and family as well as to the Agriculture Department.
However, he regularly faces problems with irrigation and pests. He has asked for help from the department, but received limited response.
Meanwhile, another rice cultivator who wished to remain anonymous said that she harvests her crops twice a year.
She has 35 acres of land reserved for rice plantation.
After His Majesty's titah, she hopes that the Agriculture Department will be more helpful in improving the harvest.
The agriculture department declined to comment on the issue. The Brunei Times
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Strategies for future food security
Strategies for future food security
YOU NUO
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MOST parts of the developing world are facing a food crisis. How can China, as the most populous country, remain unscathed by the rising tide?
Unless two things are done, officials cannot convince the public that there is no need for fear. On the short term, the first task is to provide the actual figure of the country's grain stocks, and to guarantee a good harvest of the new crops in 2008.
The other is a long-term task. Since farm products have become more expensive, the government has to come up with a program to give the right incentives to farmers, and to cushion consumers at the same time.
Two weeks ago, the Chinese-language press questioned, and as in some opinion pieces, practically ridiculed a national grain administration official for saying that seeing no grain in the State grain storage can be a normal thing. That, as some critics said, was a tongue-twister similar to "we don't know what we don't know".
Well, it is time to know. Sources close to the State Administration of Grain are now saying that all its key officials are on inspection trips in different places of the country, following dispatches from the premier.
This is a necessary first move whenever alarm is heard, whether from inside or outside China, about the food supply. A considerable part of China's anticipated stock of 50 million tons of rice, among other staples, is usually kept in small farmers' barns rather than in the State's large storage centers. The figure is only a rule of thumb but it gives an idea of the range of the total quantity available in an average year.
How much the government can depend on that figure when it comes to planning for contingencies would require a double check. In a week or so, one would assume, the inspecting officials would come back to Beijing with the more accurate numbers about China's grain stocks.
But the grain storage officials should not be the only ones making inspection rounds. In one and half months, farmers will begin to harvest their first crop of the year.
Will there be a normal output? And will the nation's total summer crop, which makes up one-third of its yearly supply, remain at the same level as last year's? People can feel more reassured if these questions are properly answered.
However, even if these questions are satisfactorily answered, the world food price level will continue to rise — due mainly to the increasing use of land for biofuels, and the dampening effect of rising prices of inputs of farm production. These are long-term factors and are likely to push up the food price level even higher.
Between now and then, as the World Bank has warned, some countries may even go through social unrests. With or without social unrest, in no country will farm sector and the food market remain unchanged.
By contrast, not a single official economist has offered to talk about the future changes in that perspective. Officials tend to imagine that the current inflationary cycle is only temporary, or to leave such an impression on their audience, while in fact, this can hardly be the case.
A more realistic way to prepare for the future is to offer higher prices to encourage farmers to produce more, while develop some strategies to help low-income groups.
China Daily
YOU NUO
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
MOST parts of the developing world are facing a food crisis. How can China, as the most populous country, remain unscathed by the rising tide?
Unless two things are done, officials cannot convince the public that there is no need for fear. On the short term, the first task is to provide the actual figure of the country's grain stocks, and to guarantee a good harvest of the new crops in 2008.
The other is a long-term task. Since farm products have become more expensive, the government has to come up with a program to give the right incentives to farmers, and to cushion consumers at the same time.
Two weeks ago, the Chinese-language press questioned, and as in some opinion pieces, practically ridiculed a national grain administration official for saying that seeing no grain in the State grain storage can be a normal thing. That, as some critics said, was a tongue-twister similar to "we don't know what we don't know".
Well, it is time to know. Sources close to the State Administration of Grain are now saying that all its key officials are on inspection trips in different places of the country, following dispatches from the premier.
This is a necessary first move whenever alarm is heard, whether from inside or outside China, about the food supply. A considerable part of China's anticipated stock of 50 million tons of rice, among other staples, is usually kept in small farmers' barns rather than in the State's large storage centers. The figure is only a rule of thumb but it gives an idea of the range of the total quantity available in an average year.
How much the government can depend on that figure when it comes to planning for contingencies would require a double check. In a week or so, one would assume, the inspecting officials would come back to Beijing with the more accurate numbers about China's grain stocks.
But the grain storage officials should not be the only ones making inspection rounds. In one and half months, farmers will begin to harvest their first crop of the year.
Will there be a normal output? And will the nation's total summer crop, which makes up one-third of its yearly supply, remain at the same level as last year's? People can feel more reassured if these questions are properly answered.
However, even if these questions are satisfactorily answered, the world food price level will continue to rise — due mainly to the increasing use of land for biofuels, and the dampening effect of rising prices of inputs of farm production. These are long-term factors and are likely to push up the food price level even higher.
Between now and then, as the World Bank has warned, some countries may even go through social unrests. With or without social unrest, in no country will farm sector and the food market remain unchanged.
By contrast, not a single official economist has offered to talk about the future changes in that perspective. Officials tend to imagine that the current inflationary cycle is only temporary, or to leave such an impression on their audience, while in fact, this can hardly be the case.
A more realistic way to prepare for the future is to offer higher prices to encourage farmers to produce more, while develop some strategies to help low-income groups.
China Daily
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Food security among many issues raised
Food security among many issues raised
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
Start of the day: Speaker of the council, Pengiran Indera Mahkota Pengiran Anak (Dr) Haji Kemaludin ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Haji Mohd Yassin (behind the bearers) arriving for yesterday's morning session of the Legislative Council meeting. Picture: Rudolf Portillo
KHAIRUNNISA IBRAHIM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MEMBERS of the State Legislative Council yesterday discussed various issues related to the primary resources sector, particularly those concerned with agriculture and forestry, when they convened for the morning session of the ongoing state budget deliberations.
Several concerns by the public that was relayed by the non-governmental members of the council, as well as those selected to represent the four districts, included the need for greater promotion of local products and help for local farmers and fishermen.
Among the issues that were raised in yesterday's morning session of the meeting were:
Food security in Brunei
There are schemes in place to ensure that the security of the national food supply, said the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat yesterday.
He was responding to a query raised by the Belait representative to the council, Hj Mohd Shafiee Ahmad, regarding the status of Brunei's food security.
"The issue of food security is very controversial," said the minister. "However, I can say that so far there has been no incidences of food shortage."
He also noted that the country is well prepared in case crisis threatens the supply of food to the country.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said: "I can assure that the policies, process and action plans are in place to establish our position now and in the future regarding food security."
Promoting agriculture as a commercial venture
Future generations should be encouraged to view the agriculture as a lucrative commercial venture, so as to heighten local participation in the sector and increase agriculture's contribution to the gross domestic product.
"People are the most important resource and engine of growth," he stressed.
Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad noted that agri-business is a burgeoning field in the agriculture industry, alongside livestock and cultivation.
The ministry is actively pursuing and training youngsters to increase their interest and skills in this area.
Its entrepreneurship development centre in Sinaut, for instance, regularly hosts programmes for students during the school holidays so that they can learn about being entrepreneurial and business-savvy.
Such programmes are also hoped to spark their interest in making a living by participating in the agricultural sector.
The young should be encouraged to be less dependent on jobs in the government sector, but instead venture into the agriculture sector.
Heart of Borneo
Roadshows and meetings should be held to inform the public regarding the development of the Heart of Borneo initiative, Dato Paduka Hj Puasa Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin said yesterday.
"This initiative has garnered widespread support from those countries involved," he said, but pointed out that in Brunei, interested members of the public are only able to keep tabs on the progress of the projects through reports in the media.
"Information about the Heart of Borneo (HoB) should be shared with the public through relevant meetings to discuss the aims and objectives of the initiative, its advantages and benefits, the implementation and running processes, monitoring and security issues and others, related issues such as the area allocated to the project," said Dato Hj Puasa.
"With these briefings, it is hoped that this initiative will receive the cooperation and support towards the successful establishment of the project."
In response, the minister said that while the HoB has been formally endorsed by all three Bornean governments, further action needs to be approved before the initiative can move forward.
A council to govern the goings-on of the HoB has been proposed, he added, but this is also pending approval.
While he could not divulge in detail what the HoB action plan will entail, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad said that the ministry can and will consider holding roadshows for the public.
Exploring the biomedical potential of Brunei's forests
The agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan's National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (Nite) to explore the micro and macro-organisms that exist in Brunei and establish a bio-research industry here is a welcome development, Dato Paduka Hj Idris Hj Abas pointed out yesterday.
"This is a positive venture, as Brunei is rich in its biodiversity, and the (agreement) can lead to added benefits for the country socially and economically," he said.
However, he questioned whether the country is legally prepared to protect its rights to its forest resources, should valuable discoveries be made and be in demand globally.
If such a legal framework should be made, it should also incorporate aspects of conservation and sustainability of Brunei's forest resources, he added.
According to Pehin Dato Dr Hj Ahmad, Brunei has its own bio-diversity centre, which occupies several hectares in Sungai Liang.
In terms of the legal aspects of the agreement, he continued, Brunei's Forestry Department is working with the State Attorney to work out the terms of a proposed memorandum of understanding between Nite and the biodiversity centre.
The MoU will hopefully be signed this year, said the minister, who did not specify a date.
The Brunei Times
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Food security, safety gains importance
Food security, safety gains importance
HADTHIAH PD HAZAIR
BRUNEI-MUARA
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
THE newly approved national development plan (NDP) 2007-2012, which has allocated $101 million for the agriculture department, will ensure increased efforts for Brunei to remain relatively unfazed should there interruptions to its food supply chain.
According to a statement released by the department, its plan includes concentrated efforts on the nation's food security programme and food safety. Stringent food safety measures will ensure that Brunei lives up to international standards and increase its export capabilities.
"By increasing our food security level, we are ensuring that food will remain available, edible and accessible to the citizens of Brunei," an official from the department explained to The Brunei Times.
"The agriculture department has already started its food security programme since the last decade," the statement reported.
Since then, Brunei has managed to attain 100 per cent food self-sufficiency in eggs and broilers.
However, according to a representative from the department, "it is not viable for Brunei to be self-sufficient in all commodities for reasons such as cost of producing and geographical aspects".
Statistics for the first quarter last year show that rice production too has increased. Other commodities that are being looked into in the food security programme are cattle, vegetables and processed foods.
In 2006, the agriculture sector contributed $58.4 million to the nation's gross domestic products (GDP), with a total production output of almost $172 million. By the first quarter last year, the sultanate recorded an 85 per cent self-sufficiency in local vegetables, and 33 per cent in tropical fruits.
With the extra emphasis on food security in the NDP 2007-2012, it is hoped that this sector would not only increase food self-sufficiency, but also cash in a lot more towards Brunei's GDP.
At the same time, the agriculture department will be undertaking food safety programmes. Projects will include the establishment of the Brunei Agricultural Laboratory Centre for livestock and crops
This will ensure that local produce remain safe for consumption. "Laboratory examinations on the health of farm animals and the safety of local crops and vegetables will be observed," the statement highlighted. The objective is to gain international standards and boost the sultanate's export potential.The Brunei Times
HADTHIAH PD HAZAIR
BRUNEI-MUARA
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
THE newly approved national development plan (NDP) 2007-2012, which has allocated $101 million for the agriculture department, will ensure increased efforts for Brunei to remain relatively unfazed should there interruptions to its food supply chain.
According to a statement released by the department, its plan includes concentrated efforts on the nation's food security programme and food safety. Stringent food safety measures will ensure that Brunei lives up to international standards and increase its export capabilities.
"By increasing our food security level, we are ensuring that food will remain available, edible and accessible to the citizens of Brunei," an official from the department explained to The Brunei Times.
"The agriculture department has already started its food security programme since the last decade," the statement reported.
Since then, Brunei has managed to attain 100 per cent food self-sufficiency in eggs and broilers.
However, according to a representative from the department, "it is not viable for Brunei to be self-sufficient in all commodities for reasons such as cost of producing and geographical aspects".
Statistics for the first quarter last year show that rice production too has increased. Other commodities that are being looked into in the food security programme are cattle, vegetables and processed foods.
In 2006, the agriculture sector contributed $58.4 million to the nation's gross domestic products (GDP), with a total production output of almost $172 million. By the first quarter last year, the sultanate recorded an 85 per cent self-sufficiency in local vegetables, and 33 per cent in tropical fruits.
With the extra emphasis on food security in the NDP 2007-2012, it is hoped that this sector would not only increase food self-sufficiency, but also cash in a lot more towards Brunei's GDP.
At the same time, the agriculture department will be undertaking food safety programmes. Projects will include the establishment of the Brunei Agricultural Laboratory Centre for livestock and crops
This will ensure that local produce remain safe for consumption. "Laboratory examinations on the health of farm animals and the safety of local crops and vegetables will be observed," the statement highlighted. The objective is to gain international standards and boost the sultanate's export potential.The Brunei Times
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Why Brunei can easily be food-sufficient
Why Brunei can easily be food-sufficient
MICHAEL A BENGWAYAN
MANILA
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
THERE are moves for Brunei to engage China's assistance for its food production drive. But if agricultural experts have been hesitant in saying Brunei can be self-sufficient in food, economists have been more blunt.
Brunei and countries with similar geography can easily be self-sufficient in food. That is what prominent economic expert Ricardo Hausmann, director of International Development Center for International Development at Harvard University says. He avers that only tropical, landlocked nations may never enjoy access to the markets and new technologies they need to flourish in the global economy in his book Prisoners of Geography.
Brunei is not landlocked, it has excellent access to sea and land travel — but why is most of its food being imported?
Brunei imports some 80 per cent of its food needs and the government is attempting to increase agricultural production.
While Brunei is nearly self-sufficient in vegetables, it still imports 100 vegetables such as baby kailan/tunas, tomato, young corn, tomato, chilli, rebong, daun selasih, pucuk batat, peria, kuchai, kailan, sawi bunga and timun manis from Sabah and Sarawak, the Agricultural Ministry said.
Brunei produces only over one per cent of rice locally and imports 60 to 70 per cent of tropical fruits as well as cattle and poultry.
Last year alone, 3,185 metric tonnes of agricultural commodities worth US$2.2 million ($3.2 million) were imported.
According to statistics from the Agricultural Department, the total consumption of vegetables last year was 16,098 metric tonnes with an estimated retail value of US$36.7 million. Of the total, 9,518.1 metric tonnes with an estimated retail value of US$21.6 million, was locally produced.
How then does Brunei's geography help the country leap-frog to food self-sufficency?
Hausmann implies that with Brunei's location, it can easily access research, information and technology for the development of its agriculture by spending more of its oil and gas earnings on agricultural research and development.
He said the divergence in agricultural productivity between the developed and developing world is grounded in dramatically different research and development capabilities.
Governments in advanced economies spend up to five times more on agriculture-related research and development than their counterparts in developing countries.
Rich nations also benefit from the expenditures of private agricultural producers — a source of funding that is virtually nonexistent in developing nations. Geography aggravates this disparity. The agricultural sector of tropical countries should then be more dynamic than in temperate zones.
Since unproductive agricultural workers can produce little more than what they require for personal subsistence (and therefore cannot support large urban populations), rural areas remain sparsely populated, have small, poor markets, and suffer from high transportation costs — all of which hamper economic growth, he added..
Brunei, then, has to spend more on agricultural research, farmer training and extension and make farming not only a way of living but more so of an enterprise to attract more Bruneians to engage in agricultural activities.
The agricultural ministry intends to generate strategic and innovative technologies in relevant areas of agrotechnology to promote sustainable development of the agriculture and agri-food industries. But to concretise this, there is an urgent need that a strong research focus be initiated and sustained backed by a vibrant group of agriculturists.
While land, finance, and irrigation facilities are available, agricultural activities lack manpower resources. The gap between wages in farming and the public sector is large, and most Bruneians have little interest in agricultural production.
In 1996, out of an economically active population of 127,000, only 2,000 — less than 2 per cent — were engaged in the agriculture.
The picture should change.
At present, just less than fifteen per cent of the land is cultivated, resulting in low agricultural output and continued dependence on the importation of food from abroad.
For example, the government maintains a cattle ranch in Australia to ensure a steady supply of beef. This ranch, located at Willeroo in the Northern Territory, is actually larger than the entire country of Brunei.
Thailand continues to be a source for a large percentage of Brunei's staple food, rice.
According to Brunei's agricultural ministry, the government has numerous incentives to encourage people to work in the agricultural sector, including free pesticides, low-cost fertilisers, training programs, model farms, and other support from the Agriculture Department. Despite this governmental assistance, during the 1990's less than five per cent of the workforce was employed in agriculture (many of whom were only involved in subsistence farming).
The government has also tried to encourage the production of mushrooms and specialty fruit for the export market, but to date there has been only modest progress in these areas.
It is also upporting the development of local agriculture and agri-food industries by providing advisory, consultancy, technical services and technology transfer in relevant areas of agrotechnology to the industries.
Yet, there is a need to strengthen the link between technology generated, verified and applicable technologies with those of technology end-users.
A leading agriculturist from the University of the Philippine College of Agriculture at Los Banos where some of Asia's best agriculturists have studied, Dr Lucy Villanuena, said Brunei should grow globally competitive and high value crops to attract its young population to engage in agricultural enterprise.
Dr Lucio Victor, a former agriculture university president and who helped Malaysia in the early 80s in the country's agricultural boom as a consultant, said there was a need to develop outstanding crop of agricultural scientists to propel agriculture to competitive level.
There should also be an upswing in promoting agriculture as a college course for the young Bruneian population besides urging them to be more responsive to economically productive endeavours.
The writer is a Filipino writer on environment and community development issues.
The Brunei Times
MICHAEL A BENGWAYAN
MANILA
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
THERE are moves for Brunei to engage China's assistance for its food production drive. But if agricultural experts have been hesitant in saying Brunei can be self-sufficient in food, economists have been more blunt.
Brunei and countries with similar geography can easily be self-sufficient in food. That is what prominent economic expert Ricardo Hausmann, director of International Development Center for International Development at Harvard University says. He avers that only tropical, landlocked nations may never enjoy access to the markets and new technologies they need to flourish in the global economy in his book Prisoners of Geography.
Brunei is not landlocked, it has excellent access to sea and land travel — but why is most of its food being imported?
Brunei imports some 80 per cent of its food needs and the government is attempting to increase agricultural production.
While Brunei is nearly self-sufficient in vegetables, it still imports 100 vegetables such as baby kailan/tunas, tomato, young corn, tomato, chilli, rebong, daun selasih, pucuk batat, peria, kuchai, kailan, sawi bunga and timun manis from Sabah and Sarawak, the Agricultural Ministry said.
Brunei produces only over one per cent of rice locally and imports 60 to 70 per cent of tropical fruits as well as cattle and poultry.
Last year alone, 3,185 metric tonnes of agricultural commodities worth US$2.2 million ($3.2 million) were imported.
According to statistics from the Agricultural Department, the total consumption of vegetables last year was 16,098 metric tonnes with an estimated retail value of US$36.7 million. Of the total, 9,518.1 metric tonnes with an estimated retail value of US$21.6 million, was locally produced.
How then does Brunei's geography help the country leap-frog to food self-sufficency?
Hausmann implies that with Brunei's location, it can easily access research, information and technology for the development of its agriculture by spending more of its oil and gas earnings on agricultural research and development.
He said the divergence in agricultural productivity between the developed and developing world is grounded in dramatically different research and development capabilities.
Governments in advanced economies spend up to five times more on agriculture-related research and development than their counterparts in developing countries.
Rich nations also benefit from the expenditures of private agricultural producers — a source of funding that is virtually nonexistent in developing nations. Geography aggravates this disparity. The agricultural sector of tropical countries should then be more dynamic than in temperate zones.
Since unproductive agricultural workers can produce little more than what they require for personal subsistence (and therefore cannot support large urban populations), rural areas remain sparsely populated, have small, poor markets, and suffer from high transportation costs — all of which hamper economic growth, he added..
Brunei, then, has to spend more on agricultural research, farmer training and extension and make farming not only a way of living but more so of an enterprise to attract more Bruneians to engage in agricultural activities.
The agricultural ministry intends to generate strategic and innovative technologies in relevant areas of agrotechnology to promote sustainable development of the agriculture and agri-food industries. But to concretise this, there is an urgent need that a strong research focus be initiated and sustained backed by a vibrant group of agriculturists.
While land, finance, and irrigation facilities are available, agricultural activities lack manpower resources. The gap between wages in farming and the public sector is large, and most Bruneians have little interest in agricultural production.
In 1996, out of an economically active population of 127,000, only 2,000 — less than 2 per cent — were engaged in the agriculture.
The picture should change.
At present, just less than fifteen per cent of the land is cultivated, resulting in low agricultural output and continued dependence on the importation of food from abroad.
For example, the government maintains a cattle ranch in Australia to ensure a steady supply of beef. This ranch, located at Willeroo in the Northern Territory, is actually larger than the entire country of Brunei.
Thailand continues to be a source for a large percentage of Brunei's staple food, rice.
According to Brunei's agricultural ministry, the government has numerous incentives to encourage people to work in the agricultural sector, including free pesticides, low-cost fertilisers, training programs, model farms, and other support from the Agriculture Department. Despite this governmental assistance, during the 1990's less than five per cent of the workforce was employed in agriculture (many of whom were only involved in subsistence farming).
The government has also tried to encourage the production of mushrooms and specialty fruit for the export market, but to date there has been only modest progress in these areas.
It is also upporting the development of local agriculture and agri-food industries by providing advisory, consultancy, technical services and technology transfer in relevant areas of agrotechnology to the industries.
Yet, there is a need to strengthen the link between technology generated, verified and applicable technologies with those of technology end-users.
A leading agriculturist from the University of the Philippine College of Agriculture at Los Banos where some of Asia's best agriculturists have studied, Dr Lucy Villanuena, said Brunei should grow globally competitive and high value crops to attract its young population to engage in agricultural enterprise.
Dr Lucio Victor, a former agriculture university president and who helped Malaysia in the early 80s in the country's agricultural boom as a consultant, said there was a need to develop outstanding crop of agricultural scientists to propel agriculture to competitive level.
There should also be an upswing in promoting agriculture as a college course for the young Bruneian population besides urging them to be more responsive to economically productive endeavours.
The writer is a Filipino writer on environment and community development issues.
The Brunei Times
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