Jabu looks at jars of honey made from stingless bees being displayed outside of the function room. Also seen are Entri on his right and Saipolbahari (behind him).
KUCHING: The Department of Agriculture will be restructured to further intensify the development of agricultural activities in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said three zones – northern, central and southern – would be set up under the restructuring exercise.
The northern zone will have Miri as its headquarters, central zone (Sibu) and southern zone (Kuching).
“The state cabinet has approved the restructuring of the Department of Agriculture and will focus on four main areas; efficiency, research, food processing and marketing,” Jabu said at the opening of Sarawak Farmers Organisation 30th annual general meeting at Grand Margherita Hotel, here yesterday.
Jabu, who is Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, said under the exercise, the DoA would work with agencies like Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), among others.
He said the government took about three years of study before giving approval for the restructuring of the department which had about 2, 700 staff across the state.
“Under the restructuring exercise, we want to ensure that our agriculture activities are developed in a holistic manner, including producing high quality food,” he added.
On Sarawak Farmers Organisation, Jabu urged them to help transform and develop rural areas through agricultural activities, in line with the initiatives of the federal and state governments to focus on rural development.
Jabu, who is Minister of Rural Development, commended the organisation for being active in increasing their income and having prudent management.
He hoped such approaches were maintained and improved to attract more members. It must also work based on good corporate management to gain the trust of members and the government.”
Sixty-one delegates from 28 Area Farmers Organisations (AFOs) across the state and representatives from National Farmers Organisations (Nafas) from other states led by their chairman Datuk Seri Saipolbahari Suib attended the meeting.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers Organisations), who is also chairman of Sarawak Farmers Organisation Datuk Sylvester Entri was also present.