State govt sets aside RM122 mln for RTP
SIBU: The state government is enhancing the rural poverty eradication programmes in Sarikei, Kapit, Sibu and Mukah.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas hopes that the move under the Rural Transformation Programme ( RTP) would eventually help to raise the monthly household income of farmers to at least RM4,000.
Uggah, who is also the Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy Minister, said his ministry would allocate RM122 million for various rural transformation activities in the state.
“This ( allocation) includes subsidies for pepper, sago, oil palm, coconuts ( and) rubber plantations. Fishermen will also be getting assistance,” he said at press conference held after the briefing on ‘ Rural Development Transformation 2017’ yesterday, which involved the Residents of
This (allocation) includes subsidies for pepper, sago, oil palm, coconuts (and) rubber plantations. Fishermen will also be getting assistance.
Sarikei, Kapit, Sibu and Mukah divisions.
According to him, 1.6 per cent of the rural population in Sarawak falls under the hardcore poor category. “Poverty percentage in the urban areas is 0.5 per cent,” he disclosed.
On the briefing, Uggah said the Residents updated him on the latest development of the RTP, adding that similar sessions would be held in Miri, Bintulu and Limbang. The minister said by March this year, most of the projects under the programme would have been implemented.
“We’re also focusing on building up the marketing infrastructure, seeing that one
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister
of the biggest problems faced by farmers is the marketing of their products.
“We will also try to form anchor farms to support our smallholders, and also to sell their products overseas,” he added.
Last year, the Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy Ministry identified 7,922 people under the poor category in Sarikei, Kapit, Mukah and Sibu. In breakdown, 2,690 are in Sarikei, 3,182 in Kapit, 1,356 in Sibu, and 694 in Mukah.