Brunei’s Budding Agricultural Sector has Much Room to Grow

Brunei Darussalam still depends heavily on imported foodstuffs and livestock.  Statistics show that in the third quarter of last year, the country imported commodities worth nearly 89 million Brunei dollars.  This means for the whole of last year, the country imported food and livestock totaling about 350 million dollars in order to fulfill domestic needs.

Among the commodities was rice, which is the staple diet of the country’s population.  However, there are relentless efforts by Bruneians to make the land more productive.  They’re assisted by the Department of Agriculture in their endeavours. 

Statistics provided by the Department of Economic Planning and Development show that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors are the lowest generators of revenue and job opportunities.  In the year 2001, this sector produced nearly 30 million dollars only and provided 640 jobs.  This also indicates that the sector has not developed like other sectors.  The agricultural field, in particular rice or padi planting is one of the sectors that could be developed further.

The initiative and desire to produce locally grown rice has been in existence among the community and this is particularly evident in the rural areas.  One such place is Kampung Bebuloh.  Last week, the News Centre exposed the efforts of the villagers to turn three hundred acres of unused land into a padi field.  The Department of Agriculture welcomes their efforts and provides technical support and supplies of fertilizers. 

Although the production of local rice does not exceed five percent of the country’s needs, the effort is a start towards increasing the level of current production.  Apart from getting aid from the agricultural authorities, local planters and youths who wish to become commercial farmers also need other support or assistance.  These include easy access to bank loans, education policies, the use of more sophisticated technology and most importantly a commitment from all parties to elevate a united and pragmatic agricultural policy.  According to studies, Brunei Darussalam once exported rice to neighbouring countries.  The country already has an identity, a mould or matrix to be proud of.  It’s only appropriate that the Brunei mould is extended to areas of people and nation development, such as helping the Bruneian farmers to progress.