Tuaran: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry through the Sabah Agriculture Department has introduced two new rice varieties to address major pest and disease issues.
State Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Peto Galim, said the two varieties are TR 11 (Tuaran Rice) and TDR 1 (Tuaran Dryland Rice).
He said TR 11, the 23rd wetland rice variety is comparable to TR 8, with a more distinct advantage in taste quality.
“This variety has the potential to produce between 6.5 and 10.3 metric tonnes per hectare, with a shorter maturity period and strong resistance against major pests and diseases,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Agriculture Research Centre (ARC) Open Day here.
TDR 1 is the first dryland rice variety introduced by the Department. “It is the 24th rice variety to be launched and offers many advantages, including a shorter maturity period and the potential to yield 3.0 to 4.0 metric tonnes per hectare.
“In terms of quality, TDR 1 produces brownish, aromatic rice with good taste quality and also resistance to diseases,” he said.
Both new varieties have strong potential for more sustainable and profitable commercial planting.
It was learnt that TR 11 originates from local sources in Kota Marudu while TDR 1 comes from Tenom. Both were conserved and stored at the Tuaran ARC Germplasm Bank before undergoing evaluation and replanting studies.
Peto said under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), the State Government remains committed to strengthening the agri-food sector through investment in modern technology, research and development (R&D), infrastructure upgrades and market access for farmers and agro-entrepreneurs.
“Since the establishment of ARC Tuaran 70 years ago, various research and innovations have been produced and launched, including high-potential food crop varieties and agricultural technology packages that benefit the farming community.
“I fully support the establishment of the Sabah Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at ARC Tuaran with State funding, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and completed by 2029,” he said.
The aspiration is to strengthen agriculture in Sabah based on science, technology and innovation. The centre will serve as a platform to accelerate food crop development through molecular technology integration and open a major breakthrough in producing new crop varieties using local expertise.
It reflects the State Government’s continued commitment to advancing the agri-food sector through a biotechnology-based approach, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Policy, the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 and the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0.
State Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Peto Galim, said the two varieties are TR 11 (Tuaran Rice) and TDR 1 (Tuaran Dryland Rice).
He said TR 11, the 23rd wetland rice variety is comparable to TR 8, with a more distinct advantage in taste quality.
“This variety has the potential to produce between 6.5 and 10.3 metric tonnes per hectare, with a shorter maturity period and strong resistance against major pests and diseases,” he said at the launch of the 2025 Agriculture Research Centre (ARC) Open Day here.
TDR 1 is the first dryland rice variety introduced by the Department. “It is the 24th rice variety to be launched and offers many advantages, including a shorter maturity period and the potential to yield 3.0 to 4.0 metric tonnes per hectare.
“In terms of quality, TDR 1 produces brownish, aromatic rice with good taste quality and also resistance to diseases,” he said.
Both new varieties have strong potential for more sustainable and profitable commercial planting.
It was learnt that TR 11 originates from local sources in Kota Marudu while TDR 1 comes from Tenom. Both were conserved and stored at the Tuaran ARC Germplasm Bank before undergoing evaluation and replanting studies.
Peto said under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), the State Government remains committed to strengthening the agri-food sector through investment in modern technology, research and development (R&D), infrastructure upgrades and market access for farmers and agro-entrepreneurs.
“Since the establishment of ARC Tuaran 70 years ago, various research and innovations have been produced and launched, including high-potential food crop varieties and agricultural technology packages that benefit the farming community.
“I fully support the establishment of the Sabah Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at ARC Tuaran with State funding, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and completed by 2029,” he said.
The aspiration is to strengthen agriculture in Sabah based on science, technology and innovation. The centre will serve as a platform to accelerate food crop development through molecular technology integration and open a major breakthrough in producing new crop varieties using local expertise.
It reflects the State Government’s continued commitment to advancing the agri-food sector through a biotechnology-based approach, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Policy, the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 and the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0.
