Uggah: S’wak puts focus on agro-development under RTP
MIRI: The Dayaks are encouraged to take advantage of agriculture opportunities as Sarawak gears up to become a key exporter of agriculture- based products by 2030.
Speaking at the 12th Gawai Kaamatan Dinner hosted by Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( DCCI) and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KCCI) at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister I of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak government is embarking on rural transformation programme ( RTP) emphasising agriculture.
“There is a need for us to ensure this programme will be successful because the problem we are facing now – there are still 1.6 per cent of rural folk who are still ( living) in poverty.
“The income disparity is still wide and we want to be high-income country by 2030. We hope our Dayak people are not left behind when Sarawak achieves this status,” said Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.
According to him, modern agriculture can become the stepping stone for the rural folk, many of whom rely on agriculture to generate income for themselves, to move forward.
“The Sarawak government has allocated RM68 million for the Internet of Things (IoT) and all the systems in our agriculture – one of them is the Sustainable Food Production Centre in Rampangi, Kuching.
“Interestingly, five of the 15 participants were young engineers, who are now agroentrepreneurs,” he said.
In view of this, Uggah invited DCCI to have a dialogue with Sarawak government to find ways and means on how they could play their part in supporting Sarawak’s transformation programmes, to ensure that Sarawak would become the next exporter of food products by 2030.
Meanwhile DCCI president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, who spoke earlier, said modernised farming through
There is a need for us to ensure this programme will be successful because the problem we are facing now – there are still 1.6 per cent of rural folk who are still (living) in poverty. The income disparity is still wide and we want to be high-income country by 2030. We hope our Dayak people are not left behind when Sarawak achieves this status.
digital economy could not be done by the ministry alone; therefore industry players from both DCCI and KCCI are needed for this.
“We cannot ask farmers to produce more if we are not able to get the market for them, where the returns would commensurate with their effort.
“This is one example where we should work together, under the Ministry of Modern Agriculture, to be able to find networks or linkages, where we can market the products, like last year when Sarawak exported durian to China,” he said.
Salang added that there are many other areas that could be looked into, including the market for bananas or pineapples, as these produce grow well on Sarawak soil, but there is not much market for them.
“With assistance from the ministry involved, we can find market for these products,” he said.
Salang said further DCCI committees would approach the new federal cabinet ministers, including the two representatives from Sarawak — Works Minister Baru Bian and Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumerism Chong Chieng Jen – for assistance.
“We are hopeful that they would understand the plight of Dayaks and also the reason why the two chambers ( DCCI and KCCI) are talking to meet them and find ways to improve the participation of Kazandusuns and Dayaks in the industries under their respective ministries,” said Salang further.
Deputy Chief Minister II of Sarawak Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing who is also Minister for Infrastructure Development and Transportation of Sarawak; Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau who is also its Minister of Trade and Industry; Sarawak Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala; KCCI president Datuk Bonipasius Bianis; as well as DCCI deputy president Kilat Beriak who is also event organising chairman, were present at the event.
At the same function, Uggah announced an allocation of RM50,000 for the organiser, meant to facilitate future hosting of future events.
About 400 guests attended the dinner, including 150 KCCI members from Sabah.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister I