‘Work your land’

SIMANGGANG: Landowners are urged to plant crops and not let their land to remain idle.

Community Wellbeing Assistant Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said the state government has many initiatives with which to help farmers make their idle lands productive in a bid to make Sarawak a leading food exporter in the region.

He advised those with unused plots to be proactive and seek the help of agencies including the Agriculture Department.

“In an effort to make Sarawak a leading food exporter in the region, the government has allocated huge expenditure to be channelled through the implementing agencies to enable agricultural entrepreneurs increase their production,” he said.

Harden, who is also Simanggang assemblyman, said this when officiating at the 2019 Local Fruits Festival here last Friday.

The two-day festival, organised by Sri Aman Agriculture Department, was held at Batang Lupar Farmers Association Office.

Among the local entrepreneurs who opened sales booth at the festival were Fama Betong (pineapple, kuini and watermelon); Alfreda, Tiara Park (cakes and rojak); Sherylleni, Taman Bayu B (kek lapis, donuts, Batik Cake and Cheese Cake); Rokiah Banseng, Balau Agrotech (mushroom entrepreneur); SAZA Enterprise Taman Sri Jaya (honeycomb entrepreneurs and honey-based products); Norina, Munggu Jabang Lubok Antu (honeycomb); Regina Limbong, Kedai Tatai Kenyalang, Lubok Antu (perkasam fish, chocolate and honeycomb); Digat Kissam, Taman Desa Indah (honeycomb); Persatuan Penanam Durian Musang King (Musang King seedlings and Monthong); and Batang Ai Fish Breeders Association, Lubok Antu (fresh Tilapia, salai Tilapia fish, perkasam Tilapia fish).