SEBUYAU, April 27 -- Sarawak aims to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2027, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

He said food security remains the Sarawak government's priority, and new rice fields cultivated with high-yield hybrid seedlings have been created in various districts in the state.

"If Gedong, Tanjung Purun, Lingga, Sri Aman and Limbang have all cultivated their rice fields with the high-yield seedlings, then maybe there is no need for us to import rice one day - maybe we can even export rice," he said in his speech during a 'Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri' programme held at the Sebuyau community hall today.

Abang Johari said the hybrid rice seedlings would produce eight metric tonnes of rice per hectare; an eight...