Wasan, Brunei-Muara
Under the morning sun in the Wasan area, an upgraded rice processing facility is now fully operational. Wasan Milling Company, which was completed at the end of 2025, was officially launched by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Its capacity now exceeds 10,000 metric tons of polished rice per year โ doubling from 5,000 metric tons before the upgrade. This is not just a technical adjustment; it is a strategic leap in the national food supply chain, supporting the government's commitment to achieve a 20 percent self-sufficiency target in rice by 2027.
Launch of New Facility: A New Milestone for Food Security
The inauguration ceremony in November 2025 was attended by state officials and agricultural industry representatives. The Sultan pressed the button to launch the factory operations, which are equipped with modern Japanese milling machinery. This system improves the accuracy of husking, reduces grain breakage, and ensures consistent quality of local rice โ an important factor in competing with imported rice. According to a report by BizBrunei, the factory receives rice from major areas such as Wasan, Kampong Batang, and Kampong Lumapas. With faster processing times, farmers can now deliver their harvest within 24โ48 hours after harvesting, reducing post-harvest losses that previously could reach 15 percent.
Currently, local rice production only meets about 4 percent of domestic demand. The rest is imported, mainly from Thailand and Vietnam. The 20 percent self-sufficiency target by 2027 remains ambitious, but the increase in milling capacity provides a more realistic operating space for farmers and support agencies. As the only large government-owned rice mill in Brunei, Wasan Milling Company is the main artery in accelerating the circulation of local rice to retail markets and institutions.
Challenges in the Fields: What Comes After the Mill?
Increased milling capacity does not automatically guarantee increased rice supply. Production is still limited by the area of land under cultivation โ only around 1,200 hectares across Brunei are used for rice โ as well as dependence on seasonal weather and traditional farming methods. Current data from the Department of Agriculture shows that average rice yields in Brunei range between 4 to 5 tons per hectare, far below the average of Vietnam (6โ7 tons/hectare) or Thailand (5โ6 tons/hectare).
To ensure a steady supply of raw materials to the mill, the government is implementing initiatives such as distribution of high-quality seeds, training in effective water management, and trials of flood-resistant and short-duration rice varieties. The Agricultural and Fisheries Development Board (LKPP) is also expanding mini-mechanization programs โ such as small rice planting and cleaning machines โ specifically for small farmers. Without productivity improvements in the fields, high-capacity mills risk operating below full capacity.
Direct Impact on Farmers, Consumers, and the Economy
The new mill brings direct benefits to two main groups: farmers and consumers. Farmers now have a closer and more stable processing channel, reducing dependence on middlemen and daily price fluctuations. The price paid by the mill for rough rice is set periodically based on quality and operating costs โ a fairer approach compared to the previous informal bidding system.
For consumers, the availability of locally produced rice in retail stores and weekly markets has increased, with the label 'Processed in Brunei' becoming increasingly common. Local rice is usually sold within three to five days after processing โ much fresher than imported rice, which can take months in storage and transportation. Increased supply also has the potential to stabilize prices, especially during global supply disruptions.
In terms of employment, the mill has added 12 permanent jobs โ including machine operators, maintenance technicians, and logistics officers โ as well as temporary contract opportunities during the harvest season. This contributes to the government's goal of reducing rural unemployment and strengthening the non-oil economy.
Looking Ahead: Not Just a Mill, But a Connected Value Chain
The success of Wasan Milling Company is not measured solely by the tonnage of rice processed, but by how far it drives the transformation of the entire rice sector. It serves as a model for investment in value-added food processing โ such as high-iron rice, organic rice flour, or by-products like husks for compost fertilizer. Economic observers suggest that future investments should be accompanied by systematic public awareness campaigns, including collaborations with schools and hospitals to include local rice in daily menus. Strong internal demand will be the most effective driver for farmers to increase production โ and for the mill to operate at maximum capacity continuously.
Source: BizBrunei (https://www.bizbrunei.com/2025/11/wasan-milling-company-more-than-doubles-national-milling-capacity/)