BY LEE SHAW WEE & NATASHA JEE
THE Sarawak government has approved an allocation of RM50 million to increase the capital for Sarawak Agro Fund to stimulate the growth of agrofood industry under the 12th Malaysian Plan.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that his ministry has received an overwhelming response for this fund in the agrofood sectors that include aquaculture, poultry, ruminant and food crops such as coconut, pineapple, banana, high-value fruits and vegetables as well as in the food processing industry.
“As at October 2022, a total number of 41 commercial farmers and industry players had benefited from both the grants and loans amounted to a committed sum of RM68 million,” he said.
He said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
On another note, he said to date a total of 757 estates with an area of 1.41 million hectares in Sarawak have been certified under Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification.
“As at Oct 2022, 43,019 or 96.2 per cent smallholders with an estimated total area of 241,000 hectares have been registered for certification under 32 Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster (SPOC).
“Out of this total, 35,956 or 80.4% smallholders have been certified,” he said.
On the development of the pepper industry, Rundi said a recent survey revealed that almost 98 per cent of pepper is planted in Sarawak while the remaining 2 per cent is planted in West Malaysia and Sabah.
“In view of its importance to Sarawak economy and particularly to its current 37,484 pepper smallholders, it is vital for Sarawak to play a greater role in the pepper industry.
“Hence, it is imperative to establish Sarawak’s owned Pepper Board to accelerate the development of the premium pepper industry,” he said.
