Initiatives to promote rice cultivation mooted

Pengiran Norazah binti Pengiran Haji Muhammad, an Ethnology Officer from the Museums Department, during the Asean Rice Festival at StarLodge in Jerudong.

IN AN effort to safeguard Brunei’s cultural heritage and encourage local youths to pursue rice cultivation, several government initiatives are being set in motion.

This was disclosed by Pengiran Norazah binti Pengiran Haji Muhammad, an Ethnology Officer from the Museums Department, during the Asean Rice Festival at StarLodge in Jerudong, yesterday. The festival’s theme was ‘Celebrating Rice as a Cultural Heritage’.

Present as the guest of honour in the afternoon session was Dato Paduka Dr Haji Affendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (See Page 10).

The event saw a presentation of country reports by Pengiran Norazah for Brunei Darussalam, and Nur’Ain Taha and Renugaa R for Singapore.

Pengiran Norazah’s presentation touched on the significance of rice to the ethnic groups in Brunei. She explained that rice has influenced various aspects of daily life, including art, technology, faith and folk songs. In addition, there are annual ceremonies and rituals that are held to display characteristics of harmony and unity among the community.

“Not only are the festivals centred on beliefs and superstition, but they are also related to the community spirit of providing assistance and working together as one,” she said.

She also mentioned that “Brunei Darussalam has set in motion a large-scale paddy planting initiative toward planning and implementing a national agriculture strategy and policy to ensure food security for the nation and people,” in response to a titah from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

“The plan involves the expansion of cultivation areas from 1,300 hectares to nearly 4,500 hectares by 2010, to achieve 20 per cent self-sufficiency; and to nearly 10,000 hectares by 2015, to achieve 60 per cent self-sufficiency,” she said.

The permanent secretary also emphasised the urgency of passing on Brunei’s cultural heritage to the younger generation, in order for them to “learn and appreciate our rich cultural heritage; and hopefully they will, in their turn, continue to transmit knowledge to future generations.”