DEBAK: The government has approved the setting up of an agropark at Lubok Tamang in Saribas.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the new agropark has an area of 1,400 hectares.
“This is a golden opportunity for those interested in modern farming. We welcome all those from nearby longhouses and villages to apply for suitable farming lots,” he said.
He said this when launching the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) at Rh Kamarau in Munggu Prin in here on Monday (Oct 5).
Uggah said more details about the agropark would be made known to the locals soon.
On Saribas’ new agricultural potential, he said among them were pineapple, banana and coconut commercial cultivation.
“There are other crops like ginger, chilli and in life stock rearing.
“Farmers must learn to diversify their activities to avoid the pains of commodity price drop,” he added.
He also said marketing was an integral part of modern farming and the government would see to it that all that all produced could be sold.
“At local level, the area farmer’s organisation would be the buyer but we would consider appointing anchor companies with international marketing links.”
Uggah said the future looked bright for Sarawak as a number of its products had now penetrated the Singapore and China markets.
On the AgriCOP, he said it was for farmers to identify those modern farming activities which appealed to them.
They could then contact their agriculture office for the advice and available assistance.
At the function Uggah announced a sum of RM500,000 from the Agriculture Facilitation Fund to help Saribas assemblyman Mohd Razi Sitam carry out more agriculture programmes and activities.
In his speech, Mohd Razi thanked Uggah and the state government for agreeing to set up an agropark at Lubok Tamang.
He said the concept of modern farming and marketing could be promoted to the people through this approach.
He also urged fresh graduates to take up the challenge of becoming agropreneurs as commercial agriculture had very great potentials.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat and a political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu were among those present also spoke at the function.
