DECEMBER 3, 2025
Some 50 Bruneian youth experienced paddy-planting as part of the 'Promoting Youth Engagement and Employment in Bio-Circular Green (BCG) Agriculture and Food Systems for Food Security: An Action Research on the Rice Value Chain in Brunei Darussalam' project under the Youth Training Programme.
Held at the Projek Penanaman Padi MPK Limau Manis, Junjongan on Monday, on a two-hectare demonstration site managed in collaboration with local farmer Haji Lamudin Safar, the project is organised by the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), and supported by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) BIMP-EAGA-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (BKCF).
The participants expressed enthusiasm, noting how the programme broadened their understanding of agriculture and teamwork.
One participant shared, "Overall the training has been great. I am grateful for the opportunity given to gain hands-on skills and knowledge in paddy cultivation from the experts. I also appreciate this programme's initiative to strengthen food security in Brunei and to inspire the younger generation to take an interest to become young farmers".
Another added, "The training has been meaningful and helpful for me. I gained new insights and enjoyed the learning process." Led by CSPS Executive Director Dr Diana Cheong as the project leader, the project is supported by CSPS research staffs, deputy project leader Dr Kartini Rahman and project coordinators Dr Sufrizul Husseini and Anwar Hashim.
Under the guidance of Rice Technical Expert Efren S Madayag, each participant is assigned to a small group responsible for a dedicated mini plot, enabling them to directly apply field techniques throughout the cropping seasons.
After completing the first phase of training in August, the participants were selected for the second phase comprising hands-on agricultural sessions.
Structured around weekly sessions across two cropping seasons, the training for the first cropping season runs from November 24 to March 19, 2026.
Source: @borneobulletin
Photos by James Kon
