‘Land-plenty Kapit suitable for commercial agriculture push’
KAPIT: The availability of land here makes Kapit suitable for integrated agriculture projects that will not only add value to the land, but also generate income for the people.
Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit said with better connectivity through the construction of roads linking rural longhouses, folks here should consider opening up their land for commercial agriculture.
“The rural folk have the land bank and by developing the land for agriculture purposes, they can boost their income and improve their living standard.
“We have already identified areas for commercial farming, especially in Sungai Yong, Melipis, Menuan and Ibau which are suitable for rubber cultivation and also pepper,” he said after attending a briefing on agriculture development projects.
The briefing was held in conjunction with the recent visit of Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik to Kapit.
Among those who attended the briefing were Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong and Sarawak Agriculture Department acting director Dr Alvin Chai.
Jamit, meanwhile, suggested the Agriculture Department provide more assistance in cultivating dabai ( local black olives) which is famous in the state and has the potential to be further promoted nationally and internationally.
“Aside from that, Kapit’s rugged physical terrain and numerous rivers and streams, with proper planning, could become ideal locations for the breeding of indigenous fish like ‘ semah’, ‘ tengadak’ and others, which fetch high prices in the market,” he added.
He also hoped for the ‘ Tagang’ (controlled fishing) system to be expanded to include more longhouse communities in the rural areas.
The rural folk have the land bank and by developing the land for agriculture purposes, they can boost their income and improve their living standard. Jefferson Jamit , Bukit Goram assemblyman