‘Anchor companies vital for S’wak to be net exporter of food’
KUCHING: A new business model where established companies are roped in to act as anchor companies for local smallholders is a vital step towards making Sarawak a net exporter of food by 2030.
In addition, the new business model will enable the state government to collaborate closely with the private sector as they are equipped with the technology, management expertise, capital and ready markets in the domestic and global arena, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said.
“We have the workforce and good climate... add this with the various government programmes, we can definitely reach the target of becoming a net food exporter by 2030,” said Uggah, who witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state government represented by the Department of Agriculture, Top Fruits (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and Rimbunan Hijau Sdn Bhd.
The signing which took place
We have the workforce and good climate...add this with the various government programmes, we can definitely reach the target of becoming a net food exporter by 2030. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister
at a leading hotel here yesterday also saw Uggah urging local farmers to diversify their farming produce in order to rake in more income and avoid losses if commodity prices drop.
It is the state government’s vision for local farmers to have an average income of at least RM4,000 a month – an attainable target by diversifying produce or services.
“This is why we need the private sector to inject investment into the state economy through the agriculture sector,” said Uggah, who is also Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.
He added the government would continue to transform the agriculture sector by modernising and commercialising the industry along the whole supply and value chain.
Besides adopting the new business models, the initiative will also involve the application of the latest production technology by leveraging on ICT and digital technology.
The MoU yesterday involves the tapping of potential export market for raw durian paste and Kelulut honey.
Among those present were Assistant Minister for Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn; Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik; Agriculture Department acting director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet, Rimbunan Hijau Sdn Bhd executive director Tiong Kiong King and Top Fruits ( Sarawak) Sdn Bhd director Cr Chong Yie Loong.