DARO: In an effort to stimulate economic growth among the local residents of Pulau Bruit, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas), Datuk Abdullah Saidol has put forward agriculture as a promising initiative.
He revealed that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg shared the aspiration of developing modern agriculture in the region.
“One of the main economies in Pulau Bruit is the fishing industry, but not all residents will always go out to the sea to seek income sources, and I believe the agricultural industry is the next choice in ensuring economic resources and so on,” he said at the recently concluded Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) held at Dewan Kampung Betanak.
To further promote agricultural development and garner interest among the local residents, he suggested the establishment of an agricultural training centre in the central zone of the state.
This centre would serve as a hub for learning and innovation, capitalising on the numerous potential areas identified to be developed as agricultural parks.
Abdullah presented several initiatives to support the growth of agriculture in the area such as the formation of a Farmers Network Group under the local fishermen’s association, the establishment of Kelab Serikandi Tani to engage women in the processing of various local food products, the creation of Kelab Tani Sekolah to encourage students’ interest in agriculture, and the encouragement of youth participation in agricultural courses and the adoption of modern farming methods.
