GEDONG: A more hands-on approach in rural areas is needed to increase Sarawak’s agricultural yields.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said this is crucial to accommodate the growing population of large cities such as Kuching.
“Kuching City and its suburbs are now getting more populated. They are in need of fresh produce and these supplies cannot be obtained from places far away from the city.
“That is why in any city whose inhabitants cannot cultivate fresh produce, they need its surrounding areas to send in their produce.
“That is why the urban belt area plays quite an important role in feeding those who live in the city,” he said at the National Anti-Drug Day Commemoration and the Jualan Terus Dari Ladang Keluarga Malaysia Negeri Sarawak 2022 Programme, here on today (July 16).
Abdul Karim noted that the areas of Samarahan including Gedong are suitable to be transformed into ‘food belt’ areas to accommodate Kuching City.
“Given the growing number of connections and infrastructure, it is easy for farmers and fishermen to sell their crops and seafood.”
He also lamented the lack of agricultural processing facilities in the areas of Samarahan.
“This needs to be scrutinised at the federal and state levels because through this we will be able to see an increase in those who want to get involved in the agriculture industry,” he explained.
He said there were also complaints from local farmers that the cost of harvesting their produce outweighs the profit made from selling.
“That is why we need to see ways to regulate this equilibrium so that existing agricultural products do not become wasted,” he added.
