Hybrid Rice and the Future of Farming : A Case Study in Sarawak

• Main Authors: Ho, Wei Seng, Peter Ling, Kwong Hung, Gong, Dejun
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: UNIMAS Publisher and Onemas Agriculture 2024
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QK Botany; S Agriculture (General); SB Plant culture
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45531/1/Hybrid%20Rice%20%26%20the%20Furue%20of%20Farming%20%28UNIMAS-ONEMAS%29-IR-2024.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/45531/

In the not-so-distant future, the world faces unprecedented challenges in feeding its growing population. Traditional farming methods struggle to keep pace with the demands of a rapidly changing climate and diminishing arable land. However, amidst this crisis, a gleam of hope emerges with the development of hybrid rice, a revolutionary crop developed to withstand the harshest conditions and produce bountiful yields. This publication delves into the journey of future farming through the visionary agenda of Onemas Agriculture Sdn Bhd and its endeavour to harness the potential of hybrid rice to secure a sustainable future for humankind. This book chronicles the eventful journey of trial planting Honglian-type hybrid rice from China in Sg. Padi, Bintangor, by Onemas Agriculture Sdn Bhd. It delves into the challenging process that evolved from an initial visionary concept to a fully operational trial. Despite facing significant obstacles, such as early ripening, insufficient labour, and poor weather, which resulted in crop wastage and the collapse of paddy panicles and stalks, the project achieved a remarkable milestone of harvesting 11.08 metric tons of hybrid paddy grains per hectare. This accomplishment stands as a testament to Onemas Agriculture’s unwavering determination. Furthermore, this book offers a visually appealing explanation of the trial procedure, showcasing impactful and inspiring insights into hybrid rice cultivation. It highlights the transition from traditional paddy planting practices, used by the local community for decades, to modern agricultural practices incorporating machinery, precision farming, and the Internet of Things (IoT). We are confident that the encouraging yield achieved by Onemas Agriculture in this recent project will pave the way for the future of hybrid rice cultivation. This endeavour is poised to significantly increase rice production capacity and sustainably enhance food security for Sarawak in the near future and beyond, underscoring the transformative potential of hybrid rice.