SELANGAU: A community leader from Nanga Sekuau here commended the government for implementing the agropolitan project in the former Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) resettlement.
Penghulu Michael Jelani, who spoke on behalf of the resettlers, said they were happy to be given the project which was expected to bring them out of poverty circle.
“All this while, we have doubts on accepting projects as big as the one we have here.
“Today, I can say this project is another proof that the government is concerned about the welfare of the people in resettlement schemes like Nanga Sekuau,” he said before the opening of ‘Gerakan Membaja’ (fertiliser awareness) programme for the project on Saturday.
Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh Ikeh represented Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development to officiate at the function held at Nanga Sekuau community hall.
The agropolitan project which involved the planting of new high clone rubber seedlings was carried out on a total of 634 hectares of land in the area last year.
Rubber Industry and Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) was tasked to develop the land at the cost of RM14.57 million.
The project had 517 participants from 24 longhouses in the area.
The trees were expected to be ready for tapping after four and half years and it would enable the participants to earn not less than RM1,000 income monthly.
On the same matter, Michael said those involved in the project must not let the government’s effort to go to waste.
“We must work together and share a similar vision to ensure its success,” he said.
Risda Development and Technology Transfer Division director Zahari Mat Amin and state’s Risda director Wahid Marican Mohamad Daud Marican were also present at the event.