Adan Rice, Lun Bawang Heritage Symbol Of Sustainable Agriculture In Sarawak Interior

By Zaphne Philip

KUCHING, April 16 (Bernama) -- Adan rice cultivated in the highlands of Ba’kelalan in northern Sarawak stands as a symbol of heritage and identity for the Lun Bawang community.

Passed down through generations, Adan rice is not merely a staple food but the lifeblood of the Lun Bawang people, reflecting their close relationship with nature.

In efforts to preserve this heritage, farmers in Ba’kelalan have taken proactive steps by practising sustainable agriculture in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia through the System of Rice Intensification (SRI).

WWF-Malaysia Community Engagement and Empowerment Officer Nadya Cindy Wembly said the SRI method, introduced in 2017, not only helps conserve the environment but also improves crop yields.

“At the initial stage, only 12 farmers were willing to take up the challenge of joining this pilot project with financial support from a local bank. In addition, WWF-Malaysia appointed an SRI expert, Captain (Rtd) Zakaria Kamantasha, who is also the founder of SRI Lovely Organic Farm in Kedah, to train farmers in Ba’kelalan,” she told Bernama.

She said that by 2019, farmers began to see positive changes as crops became healthier and more robust, with increased paddy yields achieved without the use of chemicals.

“The approach has also helped raise farmers’ incomes while reducing pressure to clear new forest areas for paddy cultivation and minimising river pollution.

“Despite facing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, farmers remained resilient by continuing their efforts through community-based training with ongoing support from WWF-Malaysia,” she said.

Nadya added that in 2022, Adan rice received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition from the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).

She said the recognition is important in safeguarding the authenticity and uniqueness of Adan rice, which is closely linked to its place of origin and the continuous efforts of the Lun Bawang community in preserving their agricultural heritage.

“By 2025, more farmers have joined the initiative, with over 100 farmers trained in SRI methods and 12 Ba’kelalan farmers successfully obtaining the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (myGAP) certification.

“We have also implemented strategic collaborations to help market Adan rice to a wider audience, while supporting conservation efforts through contributions from each sale,” she said.

Today, Adan rice is recognised as a premium heritage product that reflects the land, culture and agricultural legacy of Sarawak, and is also marketed as a corporate gift as well as through specialty stores and tourism platforms.

-- BERNAMA