BAU: A total of three farm road projects have been completed in Puncak Borneo area, thus enabling farmers to deliver their goods from their orchards to the market faster.
Caretaker federal Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities II Datuk Willie Mongin said the projects are being done under the 12th Malaysia Plan package from 2021 to 2022 with the cost of RM1.27 million.
“With the roads being completed, this will be a convenience for farmers to move around and deliver their produce faster in a short time.
“This shows that accessibility to road is important for them in terms of logistical and social infrastructure factor,” he said while officiating at the Pepper Industry Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme at Dewan Kampung Tinggus Matan Nguan here yesterday.
Earlier, Willie officiated at the farm road in Kampung Tinggus Matan Nguan upon his arrival.
In his speech, he was grateful that the road was completed where farmers now can have access to their orchards using the road.
“For the record, the 0.4 kilometre road project here began this year in June and was completed on September with a cost of RM394,000,” he added.
Apart from that, he commended the Malaysia Pepper Board for its effort in fighting for fate of pepper farmers, encouraging their participation in various programmes and driving the growth of pepper agro-commodity.
“There are a lot of activities and programmes organised by MPB, including the Economic Stimulus Package Assistance handover ceremony in Teng Bukap, the launching of R&D Results in Kampung Mambong, Padawan, Keluarga Malaysia Agro-commodity Tour Tarat in Kampung Mundai and this programme today.
“Pepper farmers and industries in Puncak Borneo have always been invited to learn and acquire knowledge and skills through courses and workshop organised by MPB.
“Workshop such as Kursus Pengeluaran Teknologi Lada (KPTL), Pepper Agropreneur workshop and Empowerment of Upstream Pepper Entrepreneur have also been held,” he said.
At the end of the ceremony, 59 recipients of the Skim Tanaman Lada Baharu (STLB) with a total plantation area of 6.1 hectares received monetary assistance of RM158,600.
A total of 93 recipients of the Skim Tanaman Lada Matang (STLM) with a total plantation area of 11.1 hectares received RM144,300 of assistance.
Furthermore, three recipients representing 13 villages under Serembu, Mambong and Tarat received participation certificate of the programme.
