THE Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) will identify the private sector that has the potential to lead the development of the agro-food industry through a public-private-community partnership (PPCP) business model.
Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail stated that the Meluan state constituency had the potential to develop agro-food crops.
“Among them are fruit crops such as durian, pineapple and banana that can be implemented commercially and on a large scale.”
This was mentioned by the Bukit Kota assemblyman in response to a question from Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin during Today (Nov 23) 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly meeting.
He went on to say that the government, through the Department of Agriculture, had implemented various programmes and projects, including the Development of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry, Cash Crops, and Pepper in the Meluan constituency.
“However, most agricultural activities are still carried out on a small scale.”
In the meantime, he informed that Sarawak is currently still experiencing a deficit in the food trade balance.
“For 2017, total exports were RM1.02bil compared to imports of RM4.61bil resulting in a deficit of RM3.59bil.
“While in 2021, the amount of exports was RM1.11bil compared to imports of RM5.77bil making a deficit of RM4.66bil.
“This means the increase in the deficit in the last five years is 29.8 per cent,” he explained.
He emphasised that agriculture had become one of the main focuses in the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“Among the approaches that my ministry has taken to realise that goal are; focusing on the production of high-value and commercial-scale agro-food products; increasing the involvement of the private sector under the PPCP business model.
“It also includes increasing research, development and innovation, the use of modern and digital technologies along the production value chain; as well as developing and upgrading agricultural infrastructure to expand agro-food production areas.”
