Ministry welcomes tie-ups with UPMKB on agriculture sector

BINTULU: The Ministry of Minister of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development is looking forward to having more collaborations with Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) to further explore opportunities in the agriculture sector.

Acting permanent secretary to the ministry Awang Johari Awang Mustapha believes that the university has the expertise and experience to conduct agricultural courses and programmes that would benefit locals.

It also encourages youths to be involved in agricultural activities.

“Agriculture is the new way to increase our wealth. Being a very big state, Sarawak has lots of land.

“We should take this opportunity,” he told a press conference after officiating the opening of UPMKB’s Taman

Agriculture is the new way to increase our wealth. Being a very big state, Sarawak with lots of land. We should take this opportunity. Awang Johari Awang Mustapha

Pertanian Universiti (TPU) Open Day programme yesterday.

In his speech earlier, Awang Johari stressed the importance of utilising Sarawak’s vast natural resources to become a net exporter of agriculture produce and food products as well as for food security, in view of Malaysia being ranked 40 in the Global Food Security Index 2018.

Meanwhile UPMKB director Prof Dr Bujang Kim Huat invited the Sarawak government to look into specific areas of collaboration to enhance the agriculture sector towards the state’s vision of becoming a net food exporter.

“For the university, our role is more into education by giving short-term courses that we

Personnel from Civil Defence Force (APM) Miri caught a one-metre long cobra from a house in Piasau Utara, Miri on Saturday. According to APM Miri personnel in charge, Capt (PA) Mohd Hazle Shah Abd Hamid, the house owner who found the reptile in his bathroom, called APM at 10.47am. A team of three personnel was dispatched immediately and the operation ended at 11.11am.

(From left) Awang Johari, Bujang and organising chairman Sylvester Igak Kana give their thumbs-up for the opening of EduPark@UPMKB.

Henry (fifth left) gives away the prizes to the winner of one of the competitions held throughout the festival.

Merbin (front, fourth right) and his team join a durian seller in a group photo at Simunjan wet market.