Challenges in Enhancing Sustainable Sago Palm Cultivation in the Mukah Division of Sarawak, Malaysia

Ahmad Nizar, Yaakub and Siti Zanariah, Ahmad Ishak and Hafizan, Mohamad Naim (2023) Challenges in Enhancing Sustainable Sago Palm Cultivation in the Mukah Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Namibian Studies, 34 (S2). pp. 119-134. ISSN 2197-5523 (online)

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Abstract

Sago (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) has the potential to be an important commodity export for the state of Sarawak, Malaysia provided it can be cultivated sustainably by the sago farmers and in large sago estate plantation. Its ability to accumulate large amount of starch in its trunk lead its to be regarded as the "starch crop of the 21st century." The study's goal is to investigate the many challenges faced by sago farmers in Sarawak's Mukah Division in cultivating sustainable sago palms. It uses a sustainable agriculture framework to describe the issues and challenges in improving sago cultivation. This study employed in-depth interview with all stakeholders and observation as data collection. Results revealed that the pertinent issues and challenges for the sago farmers in sustainable agriculture includes integrating scientific methods with indigenous knowledge of sago cultivation, finding sago variety that produce high yield of sago starch, long maturity period of sago, the declining size of land to cultivate sago, competition from oil palm cultivation, and the absent of the sago board. Of a great concern is the reluctant of younger generation to enter the labour force in the sago industry.

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