KUCHING: Saberkas will offer a number of programmes through i-CATS University College this year, the first being an Agricultural Fertigation Course.
Held in conjunction with its Golden Jubilee celebration, the course which was hosted at the university’s Tan Sri Aziz Hall on Saturday (Jan 28) under the Faculty of Agriculture, is aimed at offering knowledge on fertigation and modern farming practices, particularly to youths and those in rural regions.
“This course is among the few activities that we will hold from time to time with the objective of aiding the rural people and anyone who is interested in the agricultural field,” said Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean Faculty of Agriculture at i-CATS Professor Dr Kopli Bujang.
“As technology advances, smart agriculture can assist them. We attempt to bypass middlemen and sell straight to buyers as businesses.
“And the moment has come for us to sell and export our goods internationally, not just in Sarawak.”
Towards this end Kopli said Saberkas serves an important role as a platform or stepping stone for exposing people to the world of agriculture, and hoped the organisation’s participation in offering courses will continue.
He also emphasised that following the course, i-CATS must conduct follow-up measures to assess the participants’ progress and provide assistance as needed.
“Therefore, i-CATS as a university is in dire need of grants and funds from Saberkas, especially from the state government to carry out follow-up studies and distribute financial aid as a startup grant to the participants present so that they can start fertigation or at another time provide them with hydroponic courses.
“Only through this will the knowledge we teach be applied and bear fruit, transforming our country into a full-fledged food producer by 2030.”
The course, which was officiated by Daro assemblyman cum Saberkas Secretary General Safiee Ahmad, involved 27 Saberkas branches around Sarawak and attracted 52 participants.
