In order to enhance access to physical resources in the agricultural industry, the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry has initiated several programmes to provide land and aquaculture areas to resource-deficient agropreneurs and companies.
The programmes are AgroPark, Permanent Food Production Zone (PFPZ), Aquaculture Industry Zone (AIZ) and Pig Farming Area (PFA).
These were revealed by Deputy Chief Minister cum Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in his ministerial winding-up speech yesterday.
“On AgroPark, the state government has approved its establishment in three areas, two in Sarikei Division and one in Samarahan Division.
“The development of infrastructure at Sg Baji Agropark in Sarikei Division has begun and it is expected to be completed and operational by 2020. The other two are in their final stage of planning,” he said.
Five PFPZs have been established at Kabuloh, Rampangi, Semengok, Pejiru and Penipah covering a total area of 366 hectares and involving 104 agropreneurs.
“The largest and most successful is PFPZ Kabuloh which has an area of 248 hectares. The participants are earning an average monthly income of about RM7,000. The highest monthly income achieved by one of the participants is RM58,000,” said Uggah.
In addition to the five established PFPZs, four more will be established including one at Julau in Meluan constituency, Kubong in Limbang, Debak in Betong and Sungai Maaw in Sibu. These four are in various stages of implementation.
Touching on AIZ, Uggah mentioned that four project areas have been gazetted for aquaculture – Batang Ai Dam in Sri Aman, Sundar Awat-Awat in Lawas, Rambungan in Kuching and Selalang in Sarikei.
As for PFA, one has been developed at Pasir Puteh, Simunjan and has been operational for many years now. Another two new ones are planned for Selangau in Sibu Division and at Samarakan in Bintulu Division.
