THE State Planning Authority (SPA) has given the greenlight to sites in Semenggok in Kuching Division and Tarat in Serian Division for the development of the Sarawak Agrotechnology Park (Sartech).
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the Sartech Tarat project will be tendered by the end of this month and expected to commence construction in the first quarter 2025.
“The work scope will include construction of production plots with water supply and electricity connection, upgrading internal road and drainage system.
“The construction is expected to be completed in the first quarter 2027,” he said in his ministerial winding up speech on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Rundi said for Sartech Semenggok, land clearing work is expected to be tendered by the end of this year.
“Concurrently, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak is in the process of recruiting new participants for the commercial farming plots,” he added.
He also mentioned that his ministry has proposed to utilise 10 hectares of land within Sartech Semenggok to establish an integrated facilities known as Sartech Complex (Wisma Sartech).
“This complex will be the command and reference centre for the Sarawak agro industry in future. The complex will house all departments and agencies under the purview of my Ministry including a School of Veterinary Medicine and an Animal Hospital.
“This complex will be a game changer for the agro industry,” said Rundi.
On aquaculture, Rundi said it remains to be an important sub-sector in the state economy contributing a total of 7,773 metric tonnes of fish and shrimp, for a combined value of RM128.56 million in 2023.
“This is an increase of 15 per cent in value compared to previous year,” he added.
He said that the Semariang Batu Aquaculture Park, covering 123 hectares aims to be a leading centre for research and commercial production of brackish water fish and prawn fry.
“The park’s first phase involves the upgrading of existing fish hatchery facilities to produce fry of species such as tilapia, seabass and Vannamei shrimp.
“The hatchery is expected to produce 4.0 million fry which is double the existing production. This project is expected to generate a minimum revenue of RM2million annually through the sales of fry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rundi pointed out that the Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Sarawak (PPNS) also ventured into shrimp farming through a joint venture initiative in the Rambungan Aquaculture Industrial Zone (AIZ).
“As of October 2024, a total of 39 metric tonnes of shrimp have been harvested with a value of RM663,000.
“The JV company is expanding the production area covering approximately 134 hectares of water surface and targeted to be completed by 2027. Once fully operational, it is expected to produce 800 metric tonnes of shrimp with a total value of RM15million annually,” said Rundi.
