DEBAK: About 240 acres of land here are being developed for a pandan coconut project as well as the planting of various other crops under the proposed Saribas Agricultural Park as part of the Betong-Sarikei Food Basket.
“The people must understand that the government does not take away their land. Instead, it develops the land so that it can be a source of income for them,” said Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam.
“Both the first phase and second phase of the project involve 120 acres of land.
“I congratulate the residents of Rh Buda Ili who took the initiative to develop their land as an agricultural centre in realising the Saribas Agricultural Park,” he said.
The assemblyman said this after a briefing on the Buda Ulu and Buda Ili pandan coconut plantation programme at Rh James Tujoh with Carus Eco Plants Sdn Bhd near here recently.
Razi explained that as many as 29 nominees from Rh Buda Ili had received their letters of agreement.
“These agricultural products will bring them returns,” he said.
“We use the concept of “anchor company, contract farmer” by establishing cooperation with all parties, including the private sector that has links with the external market.”
Razi said further talks had been held with the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas on how to improve the agricultural sector in the Saribas area.
On the Saribas Agricultural Park, the assemblyman said, “It is of utmost importance to penetrate the international market and we need to adhere to Malaysian Good Agricultural Practice (MyGAP).
“Our farmers need to follow a system that can produce agricultural products that are safe to eat and of high quality in accordance with international standards.”
