KUCHING: Nipah palms provide crucial benefits and values in improving the quality of life of local communities through generating income for many households, said Azizul Annuar Adenan (GPS-Tanjung Datu).
He said the nipah palm can be harvested to produce various products depending on tradition and lifestyle.
“Many local communities inherit traditional techniques for generations to utilise nipah palms (which can make environmental, social, and economical impacts) that remain a part of the community’s livelihood.
“Hence, this is the high time for the State government to introduce the Sago and Nipah Development Board Bill, 2022 to establish the Board,” he stated.
He said this while debating in support of the Bill during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Adding on, he suggested that the Board to include management strategies such as allowing the community participation in maintaining nipah palm forest through management, planning, and utilisation
“This is because many communities have inherited the maintenance and utilisation methods for nipah palm forest from generation to generation for a long period of time.
“Therefore, they adapt the principles of sustainability management while benefiting from the resources provided by the forest,” he explained.
Azizul further added that the Board should maintain the good price for production and distribution of nipah palm products while supporting markets for the community to continually generate income. It should also develop nipah palm products to meet required standards with longer shelf life to increase product value.
“By having this Board to oversee this industry, only then can we really take proper steps towards making this commodity viable as a source of high income in the future.
“My aspiration for this Board, if approved, is also to focus on a more systematic approach to develop the nipah industry from upstream to downstream activities.
“With this I would like to support this Bill to establish the Sago and Nipah Development Board,” he added.
