BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Brunei is intensifying efforts to achieve 100 percent self-sufficiency in rice production as part of its food security strategy, a government minister said on Saturday.
The country is introducing a new padi variety capable of yielding five to seven metric tons per hectare per season, said Haji Abdul Manaf Metussin, minister of primary resources and tourism, at the legislative council.
Measures include improving soil fertility through organic fertilisers, enhancing irrigation systems, upgrading post-harvest methods, and supplying farmers with modern equipment. The ministry is also strengthening farmers' skills through the Rice Farmer School program.
In addition, Brunei is exploring new investment opportunities and securing rice supply sources, particularly within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). ■
