Younger generation encouraged to take up modern farming
MARUDI: The younger generation in Baram should consider going into modern farming as a source of income.
This is because their parents have vast tracts of idle land and taking up commercial farming would be in line with the Sarawak government’s emphasis on making agriculture a business.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau gave this advice when launching the 36th Baramlevel MSSR primary school sports meet at Marudi Mini Stadium here yesterday.
“We, the rural people, claim to have huge tracks of land back home around our longhouses but they are not utilised, which is wasteful.
“Young people should consider taking up agriculture- based courses offered in colleges and universities so that they can be trained in modern farming. After that, they can set up their farms and make farming their source of income instead of trying to enter the competitive employment market,” Dennis advised.
He informed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg wants rural Sarawak to be developed through agriculture as shown by the setting up of the Highland Development Agency which covers Telang Usan and Mulu state constituencies.
“We have great hope that Baram as a whole will be developed with better infrastructure and basic amenities,” Dennis further said, pointing out that with infrastructure in place Baram would be connected and accessible to the outside world.
“But my advice is for us not wait for this basic infrastructure to be complete because dynamic local activities in an area will help to hasten infrastructure development too,” he added.
Meanwhile, the three-day sports meet is divided into five zones – Central Baram, Upper Baram Zone, Tutoh Apoh Zone, Tinjar Zone and Lower Baram Zone.
The meet is also divided into academic, sports and games.
At the function, Dennis announced his MRP grant of RM20,000 for the Baram MSSR.
Dennis, on behalf of Baram MP Anyi Ngau, Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala and Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, took the occasion to thank all the staff of Baram Education Office, teachers and support staff of schools in Baram for spending extra hours and to certain extent using their own money and resources to help the schools and students.
Among those present were Baram education officer Mathew Laing Ngau, Baram deputy education officer James Valley and headmasters from the five zones.
We, the rural people, claim to have huge tracks of land back home around our longhouses but they are not utilised, which is wasteful. Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman