KUCHING: Sarawak is investing in various infrastructure and technology to modernise and increase agriculture production in the state.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state would build more agro parks in various locations, focusing on upstream and downstream activities and to ensure Sarawak can become a net exporter of food produce by 2030.
The agro parks, he said, similar to industrial parks, which would be equipped with the digital infrastructure and subdivided with anchor companies.
“We can’t rely on the traditional way of doing this. We need to transform our agriculture sector with a new approach and knowledge in farming, especially in Sarawak – where we have land as well as renewable and affordable energy.”
“Thus, we need to have (invest in) technology, research and development and people (human capital) to teach the farmers in the rural areas about modern farming,” he said when officiating the National Anti-Drug Day and the Keluarga Malaysia Direct From Farm Sale Programme in Gedong here today.
The Gedong assemblyman said he had also instructed Swinburne University to build a lab – a mini satellite campus in his constituency.
Besides, there would be another Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) satellite campus around Samarahan and Sebuyau area to conduct more research works as well as to teach and support locals in modern farming.
“We will bear the construction costs of the campus buildings. We are ready to allocate a huge budget to develop the agriculture sector in the state, especially in the rural areas, as this is for our farmers and the future,” he added.
Apart from that, Abang Johari said, it was necessary to have the knowledge to commercialise local products.
Citing the recently launched ‘Kenyalang Biris Rice’ in Kualau Lumpur, Abang Johari said, the people were now aware that Sarawak has such a premium rice – that came from Kampung Lubuk Punggor in Gedong.
“Now, people know about the rice and there’s a place called Kampung Lubuk Punggor… So, this is something we should do more – on how to market our local products,” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak would also focus on producing food and agriculture downstream products, especially perishable foods or products.
“If we keep planting pineapple and rambutan, who is going to buy them all (when they are fresh)? So, we can turn them into pineapple jam or rambutan jam,” he said.
To modernise and add value to the agri-food industry, he said, could also reduce the state’s import dependency.
