RM100,000 for Bokashi composting programme

MIRI: Miri Council ( MCC) plans introduce the ‘ Bokashi’ composting programme to the community in Bario, with the aim of enhancing the management and handling of organic and foodbased waste in the highland area.

According to Mayor Lawrence Lai, the programme appears to be the most practically viable approach for Bario, of which the population comprises mainly the Kelabits.

He said with the cool climate and its status as a fertile land known for the cultivation of its famous rice and pineapples, Bario served as the most ideal site for the Bokashi project.

“The Bokashi programme will help turn kitchen or organic waste into organic fertilisers for the Bario farmer,” he told reporters here yesterday.

In addition, Lai pointed out that the composting programme would also help reduce the cost of waste disposal and further lengthen the lifespan of any dumping site.

“MCC is setting aside some RM100,000 for the implementation of the ( Bokashi) programme.

“We are going to send officers from Miri Local Agenda 21 ( LA21) to do some survey work throughout this month – from whom we could gain a cleared picture on Bario before proceeding with the education programme.”

The Bokashi composting method was introduced by volunteers from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) who were attached with the council’s LA 21 movement, which specialised in environmental education.

The composting programme serves more than producing

The Bokashi programme will help turn kitchen or organic waste into organic fertilisers for the Bario farmer. MCC is setting aside some RM100,000 for the implementation of the (Bokashi) programme. We are going to send officers from Miri Local Agenda 21 (LA21) to do some survey work throughout this month – from whom we could gain a cleared picture on Bario before proceeding with the education programme.

City to

Lawrence Lai, Miri mayor

organic fertilisers — the endproduct can also be processed to become natural insect repellents and cleaning agents for toilets, drains and sinks.

Meanwhile, Lai also pointed out that MCC was allocating a RM500,000 budget for the closure of the existing dumping site in Bario and the construction of a new, proper site that would meet the standards and specifications set by the council.

“During our study trip to Bario in March this year, we found that the existing rubbish dumping site in Bario was far from being a proper one. Thus, MCC is allocating a half-million ringgit budget (for the project).”

However, Lai stressed that MCC would need to identify a suitable land for the project, with heldp and consultation from the Land and Survey Department first.