BINTULU: Farmers need to adopt modern agricultural technology to increase efficiency and productivity.
“We need to be creative and innovative in our agriculture to get more yield and income,” Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom told farmers in the Kemena constituency.
He was handing over Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants for the constituency last Friday (July 15).
“You need to get out of your comfort zone and switch to modern agriculture.
“Do take advantage of the food security issues occurring in the country by exploring large-scale food production using the latest technology.
“On that note, I hope that the Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) and Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Sarawak (PPNS) could help farmers and smallholders in terms of marketing (their produce).”
The Kemena assemblyman also reminded the grant recipients to fully utilise the funds and to not misuse them for personal gains.
“The grant is approved by the state government and should be for the benefit of the community and cannot be used for purposes other than those it was intended for.
“Therefore, recipients must ensure that the project is implemented as well as possible, including providing a progress report to the constituency’s office for the ministry’s reference.”
A total of 20 recipients representing the Village Development and Security Committee, youth and women’s bureaus of longhouses and villages, clubs, associations and non-governmental organisations received grants amounting to RM200,660.
