KUCHING: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development hopes Sarawak will get a bigger allocation under the 2023 National Budget which is expected to be tabled in parliament next month.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom is banking on the budget focusing on food security besides infrastructure development in the state.
“I heard Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mentioned that he wants to give emphasis to food security, therefore we hope Sarawak will receive a bigger allocation so that we can improve our food security.
“Sarawak has ample space, and there is still more to be developed so that the state can contribute to the food security of the country,” he said.
Rundi was speaking to reporters after attending a Chinese New Year (CNY) open house hosted by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bintulu branch and Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang in Bintulu on Today (Jan 29).
In view of the high import cost of animal feed, he said presently the state is looking at producing animal feed from oil palm waste.
“Probably in the next two to three months, we will set up a factory under the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA). This is still being discussed” he said.
On another note, he said Sarawak has previously discussed with Singapore on various aspects in terms of the economy, energy and agriculture.
“The advantage of Sarawak is that we have space. But all we need is brain power.
“Singapore has the brain power and we can use their expertise to develop our land for agriculture and development of new technology,” he said.
He pointed out that in return this would allow Sarawak to export its products and at the same time increase revenue for the state.
