Diversify source of income, rural folk told
KUCHING: Enterprising rural folk have been told to diversify their source of income by not only depending on cash crops but also other agricultural products like honey.
In urging them to be more productive, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they must be bold and adventurous in trying new ideas, especially those not too labour and capital-intensive.
“Do not be overly dependent on commodities like rubber, coconut, oil palm, pepper and pineapple because when the price of all these fall, we are finished,” he said.
“Let’s try beehive farming as honey can fetch a handsome price. You can also try integrated farming by rearing goats and cattle in your plantation or estate. Acquire knowledge in modern farming techniques too,” he advised, adding farmers must learn the correct technique on beehive farming to get maximum economic potential from it.
Uggah said he would want to see Saribas become the main producer of honey in the state, adding it is possible if all farmers in the area work closely and start strategising now. Uggah, who is Betong MP and Bukit Saban assemblyman, said this when officiating at the Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri event at Kampung Mangut, Saribas in Betong on Tuesday.
He said even Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had proposed Bukit Sadok to be an agropolitan area to facilitate export of the state’s agricultural products, pointing out that the local market is limited and farmers may have to export their products overseas.
On another matter, he urged farmers in the rural area to communicate with grassroots leaders on their requests and suggestions apart from getting useful information on government policies and programmes.
Uggah also pointed out that the government will set up collection centres at strategic places for farmers to send their produce where they will be bought by representatives of the Agriculture Department to market elsewhere.
He also urged farmers to report all their problems to their respective elected representatives, particularly himself, instead of just keeping quiet. Though the elected representatives may be busy, they are elected to listen to and address people’s problems, he assured.
Also present was Saribas assemblyman Mohd Razi Sitam.