KUCHING: Agriculture officials on Tuesday reiterated their commitment to enhancing and streamlining agricultural trade practices.
The Agricultural Trade Facilitation Engagement Programme has towards this end become a platform for key stakeholders and the public to interact and gain insights into the procedures and regulations governing agricultural trade.
“Together, we are building a robust agricultural trade environment and ensuring the highest biosecurity standards are met,” said Agriculture Department Director Dominic Chunggat.
“I am confident that with effort, cooperation, and strong commitment from various sectors, we can create a sustainable and resilient agricultural trade environment capable of overcoming diverse challenges,” he said.
He said this in his speech, read by Deputy Director Radziah Jack during the programme’s official launch here on Tuesday (Nov 5).
He also stated that the programme’s primary objective is to inform stakeholders and the public about the import and export requirements for plants, plant products, and regulated articles across Sarawak’s territories.
“Compliance with these regulations goes beyond legal obligations, as it is essential for ensuring the ongoing growth and competitiveness of our agricultural sector.
“By adhering to these standards, we can preserve and enhance the reputation of local products, expanding their reach into international markets,” he added.
He stated that a secondary objective is to disseminate knowledge about pest management for two of Sarawak’s key crops: durian and coconut.
“Both crops face threats from a range of pests, making it vital for us to be well-equipped with the knowledge to manage pest issues effectively.
“Protecting our crops from pests is crucial for economic stability and food security,” he said.
The programme, organised by the Plant Biosecurity & Quarantine Division of the Sarawak Department of Agriculture, attracted over 300 participants through a series of roadshows and engagement sessions this year.
The events were held in Sibu on Oct 21, Miri on Oct 23, and Lawas on Oct 25, with the main event in Kuching, officiated by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
