KAPIT: The Agriculture Department Kapit has organised a briefing on Kapit Division Agriculture Development Projects that was held at the conference room of the State Office Complex at Jalan Bleteh here recently.
The briefing was held to coincide with the official visit of the Permanent Secretary of Modern Agriculture, Customary Land and Regional Development Sarawak, Datu Ik Pahon Joyik to Kapit. Giving the briefing was Assistant Director Kapit Agriculture Department Badin Unor.
Accompanying Ik Pahon for the visit were Acting Director Sarawak Agriculture Department Dr Alvin Chai, Dr Sajem Jinim representing Director Veterinary Sarawak, Dr Gluma Saban from Modern Agriculture, Customary Land and Regional Development Sarawak and Dominic Chunggat who is the Assistant Director Sarawak Agriculture Department.
Present together at the briefing were Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Political Secretaries to the Chief Minister of Sarawak; Tapah Ata, Nicholas Kudi Jantai and Beatrice Kedoh Tajang, officer in charge of Kapit District Agriculture Office Leo Dian, officer in charge of Song District Agriculture Office, Serdin Bilong.
After the briefing, Jamit who spoke at the function welcomed the senior officials from the State Modern Agriculture, Customary Land and Regional Development Sarawak, Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, acting Director Sarawak Agriculture Department Dr Alvin Chai to Kapit.
“As the peoples’ representative, I must know what the agriculture development projects in Kapit are because we are rural-based communities.
“We don’t have industry except one veneer-based wood. But it is dormant lately because of the shortage of raw timber.
“The communities here have plenty of land but untapped so far. So very little income except the jungle produces like flora and fauna,” said Jamit.
He added that in order to enhance their living, it was important to open up land for agriculture development.
“We have identified various areas suitable for commercial farming especially areas like Sungai Yong, Melipis, Menuan, and Ibau which are suitable for rubber cultivation. It is also suitable to cultivate pepper vine which is in demand.
“Indigenous fruit like dabai (local black olive) is famous in the state and the land here is suitable for commercial cultivation.
“Through proper guidance and assistance provided by the Agriculture Department, Kapit will be able to produce more dabai.
“Our physical rugged terrain and numerous river and streams when properly planned could turn into ideal location to breed indigenous fishes like Ikan Semah, Tengadak and even Empurau which fetch high prices in the market,” said Jamit.
He hoped that the Fishery Department could recommend more rivers for conservation to introduce the Sistem Tagang while the longhouses’ communities residing along the river could look after the fish.
