BETONG:The Sarawak government will assist oil palm, rubber and pepper farmers in the state affected by the current drastic commodity price slump, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development said the new Federal government could also come up with amicable solutions soon for the farmers whose income as well as living standard were affected.
“They should not abandon their farms because of the situation,” he said yesterday after his walkabout to Rumah Linggie in Sungai Langit and two other longhouses in Penom, which comes under his Bukit Saban state constituency here.
Uggah said the government would come to their aid with fertiliser and other farming inputs for them to maintain their farms.
Attributing the price slump to world market factors, he advised farmers to diversify their activities.
“Besides oil palm, pepper and rubber, farmers can consider planting cash crops like chilli, pineapple, banana and durian,” he said, adding that there was also income to be made from livestock rearing and kelulut (stingless bees) beekeeping.
Uggah noted there were courses organised by his ministry on these alternative activities, including a course on pig rearing artificial insemination to produce more piglets.
“There are the fertigation and hydroponic courses for vegetable growing to ensure top quality and greater quantity, and thus more income,” he added.
Uggah said the government was now actively encouraging and promoting these modern technologies in an effort to boost food production in the state.
Sarawak is projected to be a net food exporter by 2030. – Bernama
