KUCHING: Two more local indigenous products – Sarawak Dabai and Terung Asam – have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) protection certification by the Malaysian Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO).
The Dabai, whose certification became effective on March 9, 2011 and Terung Asam (June 30, 2011), join three other local products – Sarawak Bario rice (effective Feb 22, 2008), Beras Biris and Beras Bajong (Feb 17, 2009).
State Agriculture Department director Lai Kui Fong said his research officers were instrumental in registering these products under the GI, which is a form of product branding.
“GI protection would ensure authenticity, consistency and quality assurance of the products. It will add value to the products and effectively increase farmers’ income and subsequently create greater demands both at home and abroad,” he said at the opening of `Research Officers’ Progress Meeting’ here yesterday.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, officiated at the event. Also present were Assistant Agriculture Ministers Datuk Mong Dagang (Research and Marketing) and Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran (Farmer’s Organisation), and MOA permanent secretary Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu.
Lau also expressed his gratitude to senior research officers Teo Gien Kheng, Lau Cheng Yuon and research officer Shariah Umar, together with the Sarawak Information Technology Resources Council (SITRC), for their efforts in registering the products.
Ninety crop research officers, soil surveyors, assistant agricultural officers from the research division, Sarawak Agriculture Institute and Soil Management branch, fisheries officers, crops division and divisional agricultural officers are attending the 3-day meeting.
This annual event comprised technical and programme sessions. In the technical session, research officers and fisheries officers would present their scientific findings in 21 oral papers in addition to seven poster-papers displayed.
The oral papers presentation are divided into five sessions, namely Vegetable Crops, Fruit Crops and Postharvest Technology; Pesticide Chemistry; Field and Industrial Crops and Inland Fisheries; Crop Protection and Agro-biotechnology; and Weeds and Transfer of Technology.
In the programme session, the crop research officers and research officers from the Soil Management branch will present their progress for the year, as well as their plan of work for the coming year.
“For crop research programmes, the session will cover the various disciplines namely Analytical Services and Biometry, Transfer of Technology, Soils Management, Crop Protection, Agro-biotechnology, Industrial and Miscellaneous Crops, Vegetable Crops, Organic Farming, Rice and Field Crops, Fruit and Post-Harvest Technology, and Peat and tree Crops,” Lau continued.
At the ceremony, Jabu received the GI certificates on behalf of the ministry.