Annual report / State of Brunei.

Date:
[1953]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report / State of Brunei. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/220 (page 34)
    It will be noted that in spite of the decrease in area, an increase in production was obtained. The reason for the decrease in area was due to some areas which were temporarily abandoned because of unsuitability for padi cultivation every season. Another reason was that many padi planters preferred to work in the British Malayan Petroleum Company or with one of the many building contractors where higher wages were obtained. The excess in yield was chiefly due to a suitable weather con¬ dition and negligible damage from padi insects and rats. Padi (Season 1953-1954): The area brought into cultivation is estimated 6,099 acres under wet padi and 3,035 acres under dry. The figures showed an increase of 1,652 acres under wet and a decrease of 288 acres under dry. The felling of jungle in connection with dry padi cultivation undertaken at different intervals, secondary virgin jungle being cut down earlier than the blukar. Reason for this was that the burning of timber could be affected at the same time. In most cases planting were completed in September. The germination of grain was quite satisfactory and seedlings were also very healthy. Unfortunately the crop suffered from drought during flowering stage and it is feared that yield may be affected to a certain extent. Wet padi seeds were sown according to schedule, except in certain areas where water was not readily available. Therefore transplanting was unavoidably delayed due to drought. The seed¬ lings had an excellent start; but when the crops began to flower they were retarded again by short dry spell. It is difficult to estimate to what extent yield is affected. Sago: According to 1953 census the area under sago is estimated at 2,472 acres compared with 2,256 acres in 1952. The total pro¬ duction of raw sago, estimated 3,857 piculs, was exported. The quality of raw sago produced by the local peasants still remained crude, nothing much being done for its improvement. The price