Seek economic prospects in agriculture – MP
MIRI: Members of the Orang Ulu community in Baram are highly encouraged to seek opportunities made available by the government through various agriculture projects.
According to Baram MP Anyi Ngau, agriculture – if being run consistently and sustainably – could generate high income and help lift families out of poverty.
“We must discard the old mindset that associates agriculture only with rubber tapping and other smallholding activities. There are many other fields (of agriculture) that can be pursued according to one’s capability and also the suitability of the land, such as coffee farming, palm oil plantation and stingless bee farming for the ‘kelulut’ honey.
“Agriculture has been the blood and flesh of the Orang Ulu community for a long time. Thus, why not continue this tradition with the assistance and facilities provided by the government?” the parliamentarian spoke at the division-level ‘Agropreneurs Sales Carnival 2017’ at Imperial City Mall here on Friday.
The event, organised by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in collaboration with
We must discard the old mindset that associates agriculture only with rubber tapping and other smallholding activities. There are many other fields (of agriculture) that can be pursued according to one’s capability and also the suitability of the land, such as coffee farming, palm oil plantation and stingless bee farming for the ‘kelulut’ honey. — Anyi Ngau, Baram MP
Doh Kayan (Kayan Women’s Association) Telang Usan – or DKTU, runs for three days. It houses 40 stalls – 20 of which are slated for the women entrepreneurs from Telang Usan, while the rest are manned by DOA. These stalls offer various handicraft items such as rattan and plastic baskets, beadwork, beauty products and also plants.
Back on government’s assistance, Anyi said agencies such as DOA is willing to provide aid and guidance to those wanting to venture into commercial agriculture.
In this context, he wanted the people in Baram to work together with the government towards ensuring that the projects would be on track and run according to schedule.
However, Anyi said he would be unable to fulfil the demands from those wishing to venture into large-scale farming ‘overnight’.
“I could not give 1,000 young palms to you just like that; we have to consider others who also want the same project.
“Instead, I want you to think big, but to start small – the important thing is make sure that it works, consistently and continuously. I want this concept to be practised by the Orang Ulus,” he added.
Later, Anyi announced a grant of RMM20, 000 for DKTU.
Meanwhile, the first day of the carnival recorded sales of more than RM18,000.
DOA Sarawak assistant director (agro-based industries and family economy division) Magdalene Lungan Ajang, political secretaries to chief minister Dato Robert Laing Anyie and Charles Balan Seling, as well as DKTU chairwoman Temenggong Elizabeth Deng were present at the opening ceremony.