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November 30, 2009 15:49 PM

Bario Rice's GI Label Ready By January

KUCHING, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The Geographical Indication (GI) label for Bario Rice, famous for its excellent taste and texture and highly appreciated in fine Malaysian cuisine, is expected to be ready by January next year, in time for harvesting in the Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak.

Sarawak Agriculture Department senior research officer Teo Gien Khieng said the certification meant the "Bario Rice" brand name, like "Champagne", would be protected and could not be used on similar rice grown outside of the state.

"There is a lot of adulteration in Bario Rice, especially in the lowlands so much so that people do not know how to identify the authentic product, which fetches a much higher price of about RM10 per kg," she told reporters after the certificate was presented to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya here Monday.

The GI label provides confidence to entrepreneurs and consumers in the marketing of niche products.

Following approval of the award for Bario Rice on March 10 this year, the state's Agriculture Department has been working closely with the ICT Unit of the Sarawak Chief Minister's Department to further file "Beras Bajong" and "Beras Biris" traditional varieties also for GI registration.

Teo said their certifications were expected to be awarded in April next year.

Dr Chan, who is also State Modernisation of Agriculture Minister, said Bario Rice production could double from the two tonnes per hectare annually at present with better planting and irrigation techniques but this year's production, on a total area of 240 hectares, was expected to be lower due to drought.

The rice was also anticipated to fetch higher prices with added value because some of the local farmers had already started organic cultivation, he said.

At present, minimal agrochemical inputs were applied as the farmers used ducks to kill the golden snails that plagued the traditional crop, with buffaloes, which were used to plough the fields and transport goods, fertilising the soil during the fallow period, he said.

Cultivated over 1,000 metres above sea level, the rice, which is handcrafted using traditional methods due to the absence of machines, is currently air-flown to other destinations as Bario is not accessible by road.

Apart from Bario Rice, six other products that have received GI registration certificates from the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) are Sarawak Pepper, Sabah Tea, Tenom Coffee, Borneo Virgin Coconut Oil, Sabah Seaweed and Buah Limau Bali Sungai Gedung.



-- BERNAMA

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