By LYNCH COWAN & NUR ASHIKIN LOUIS
KUCHING: Sarawak has always been working to bring its agriculture and food products into the international market, says a senior minister.
“Now it’s time for all ministers in their respective areas, especially in rural areas, to do events that promote their local and jungle products.
“From such events, they will know what and which specific areas have such local products that have the potential to export to the international market,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said after launching the ‘My Best Buy Direct Sales From Farm’ programme here today.
“I also hope that all entrepreneurs in the agriculture industry are constantly promoting their products in order to have better relationship among traders and to exchange views on the business industry.”
Uggah also added that Sarawak can be an international food exporter and thus “we need to upgrade the quality of our products so that it is equivalent to market demand at international level.”
Earlier, Uggah tried his hand at cashless payment at the carnival.
“I paid using an application in a smartphone and what comes to my surprise is that the payment is then transferred into the seller’s account immediately.”
“This is one of the initiatives encouraged by our Chief Minister, which is using technology in this economic industry. Hence, this effort can be continued with increased usage of cashless payment in line with the state’s efforts to move into a digital economy,” he stated.
The two-day event aims to build a platform in promoting basic and agro-based products such as fruits, vegetables and plants, as well as helping consumers and middle-income households to purchase such products at affordable prices.
The programme is a collaboration between the Sarawak Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Sarawak, as well as supported by the state government.
“I was also informed that FAMA will hold the same programmes at five other locations in the states,” Uggah said.
The event saw the participation of 44 entrepreneurs from various agencies, including FAMA, Department of Agriculture, Sarawak State Farmers Organisation, Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, Sarawak Department of Fisheries, Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board, Samarahan Division Integrated Agricultural Development Area, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, and food truck entrepreneurs.
The event ends tomorrow (Friday).
