Perennial rice trial in Malaysia's Sarawak records first harvest

A perennial rice planting trial conducted by Yunnan University and Borneoland Paddy, a rice company in Malaysia's Sarawak, celebrated its first harvest with a ceremony on Aug 6, attended by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari; Xing Weiping, consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching; Duan Xingwu, vice president of Yunnan University; and Hu Fengyi, dean of the university's School of Agriculture.

Guests hold harvested rice at the ceremony. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Abang Johari said Sarawak's current rice self-sufficiency rate is only about 21 percent, and hoped to increase food production through the perennial rice project and promote the establishment of a perennial rice research center in collaboration with Yunnan University.

Xing said the Chinese Consulate General in Kuching will support cooperation between all sides and help advance the application and cultivation of perennial rice technology in Sarawak.

Perennial rice technology is an original innovation developed by Yunnan University researchers through more than two decades of research. Unlike conventional rice, it can be planted once and harvested for multiple years. The technology has so far been shared with more than 30 countries and regions.

The trial planted 31 perennial rice varieties or lines, with five initially identified as suitable for local ecological conditions. Among them, the Yunda 28 variety received positive feedback from residents for its high quality, recording yields of more than 500 kilograms per mu (0.07 hectares).