§ 74. Mr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is being done to improve the system of rice-growing in Sarawak; and whether he will make a statement on Government policy.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydGreat efforts have been made since the war, and are still being made, to persuade hill padi farmers to adopt the more productive system of wet padi cultivation. Irrigation and drainage works have been installed in selected areas, and mills have been established. Experiments in Brunei on mechanical cultivation are being closely observed. The policy of the Government of Sarawak is to encourage food growing, with particular emphasis on rice. In pursuance of this policy it guarantees a support price for home-grown rice and has set aside funds to provide agricultural credits through a co-operative bank.