Use land for commercial farming, longhouse folks advised

KAPIT: Longhouse residents should optimise the use of their land for commercial farming as means to generate income.

Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi gave this advice when officiating at the closing ceremony of the ‘Bergempuru Raban Bangsa’ programme held at Rumah Sepawi, Nanga Sesawa in Song near here recently.

The three-day programme was organised by students of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus.

Adding on, Nanta said he would provide allocations for a pilot project for aquaponics – a sustainable food production system combining traditional aquaculture with hydroponics, with effluent from the water from the fish-rearing tanks being used as nutrition for the plants.

“This aquaponic system is a way to ensure food security, with a planned and proactive project, so that the people always have food sources and do not depend entirely on the supply in the market,” he added.

Speaking at the same event, Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan said he planned to collaborate with UPM Bintulu in agriculture, especially in the areas of inland fisheries and agroforestry.

On a separate subject, he hoped that the university could help the children in Song by opening up opportunities for them to attend higher education.

The ‘Bergampuru Raban Bangsa’ involved 39 students from various faculties of studies.

The activities included cultural performances, agricultural knowledge sharing by the university, a talk by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sibu branch, workshop on weaving and sports.

It also involved participation from 180 villagers from Rumah Sepawi and representatives from 18 surrounding longhouses.