KUCHING: Staff from the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) and the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) visited various community project sites in Penang and Baling, Kedah.
During the knowledge-sharing study visit, the team explored innovative agricultural practices, including freshwater fish farming, fig tissue culture, and poly bag rice planting.
The visit began with a tour to the freshwater fish farming facility, where Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) experts demonstrated advanced techniques in aquaculture.
This method holds great promise for enhancing local food security and providing sustainable income opportunities for entrepreneurs.
The delegation from Recoda and Urda was impressed by the potential for replicating these practices in Sarawak’s rural communities, where such initiatives could significantly improve livelihoods.
Next, the team visited a fig tissue culture laboratory, where cutting-edge biotechnology is used to cultivate high-quality fig plants.
This technology, shared by USM researchers, could revolutionise fruit farming in Sarawak by enabling farmers to produce superior yields with greater efficiency.
The participants also engaged in discussions on how to implement these techniques back home, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the programme.
The final site visit of the day was the poly bag rice planting project, showcasing an innovative approach to rice cultivation.
This method, which uses poly bags to grow rice plants in controlled environments, offers a solution to the challenges posed by unpredictable weather and soil conditions.
The Recoda and Urda staff were eager to learn how this technique could be adapted to the unique agricultural landscape of Sarawak, aiming to boost rice production and ensure food security.
These initiatives have the potential to boost local food security and provide sustainable income for entrepreneurs, which in turn can significantly improve the quality of life in Sarawak’s rural communities.
The first day of the engagement programme set a positive tone for the days to come, with both Recoda and USM expressing enthusiasm for continued collaboration and knowledge exchange
