Improved Mesej programs for villages
KUDAT: The Ministry of Rural Development is currently devising various programs on additional economic activities (AET) in Prosperous Mini Estate (Mini Estet Sejahtera or Mesej) villages, throughout Sabah.
Its minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the initiative was part of an improved approach to the poverty alleviation program through Mesej.
He said most of the Mesej programs involved oil palm and rubber plantation activities.
However, the price of commodities is inconsistent and currently the price is not in good condition.
Therefore, introduction of economic activities in the area is required, said Ewon, adding that swiftlet farming, Tantadan honey, and eco-tourism, among others could generate income for the participants.
“Through my work visits to Mesej villages and interactions with participants on their income, it seems we need to devise more initiatives to increase their income. So, that is why we need to introduce additional economic activity programs in these Mesej areas,” he said.
Ewon was commenting on the results of his two-day working visit to Mesej Minikodong Matunggong Rubber, Mesej Barambangon Kudat Rubber, Mesej Livestock Microfeeding at Kampung Tampakan Kudat, Kampung Perpaduan Ria Kudat Village Entrepreneur Center, Kampung Kimihang Kudat Virgin Coconut Oil Processing Center and Banggi Island Agropolitan.
Apart from the visit, Ewon also listened to a briefing on regional development by Kudat District Officer Sabdin Ibrahim, Matunggong Assistant District Officer Francis Chong and Pulau Banggi Assistant District Officer Ag Syairin Ag Bakar.
Ewon, who is also Kadamaian assemblyman, said through his visits to Mesej Barambangon and Mesej Minikodong, he had found that there was a need to diversify the economic activity in the area.
He said the ministry would use some of the existing funds allocated under the ministry for additional economic programs in Mesej areas for this year.
For next year, the ministry had submitted specific inputs to the Sabah Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) for the initiative, particularly, to be budgeted, which is among the findings from the ministry’s retreat held in February, he added.
Meanwhile, Ewon said the ministry would also make the village entrepreneurship center (PKD) as an example of a successful rural development approach which could be spread to other districts.
He said the approach could not only help developing entrepreneurs but could also provide job opportunities to local communities.
The Kudat Village Entrepreneurship Center has eight entrepreneur workshops, namely mee processing, snacks, seafood produce, chocolate products, cake and pastry, batik craft, beauty product manufacturers and beads and handicraft.
According to Ewon, the outcome of such a visit would help his ministry to plan better, effective and sustainable programs to implement in the future.
Also present during the visit were assistant ministers to the Rural Development, Dumi Pengiran Masdal and Rasinin Koutis and deputy permanent secretary to the ministry, Fredian Gan.