Go for bigger farms, advises Dr Sim

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Hu presents a souvenir to Dr Sim (front third left), witnessed by Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Lee Khoi Yun (second left), Datuk Ngu Peu Seng (second right) and other committee members.

KAPIT: Minister of Local Government, Datuk Senator Dr Sim Kui Hian called on the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sarawak (ACCCIS) to help the state government commercialise agriculture through larger farms.

Dr Sim said the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari was adopting a new approach to develop infrastructure and amenities (including wireless services) for farm products to reach the market in the shortest time possible.

It wants businessmen to provide opportunities for agricultural expansion in line with the chief minister’s proposal for venture capitalists to commercialise agriculture with the government providing infrastructure like airstrips, roads and internet for online marketing.

“Businessmen must help grow businesses. I urge ACCCIS to apply science and technology to agriculture just like in New York, USA where apples can be kept for a year. Ten big farms are capable of supplying apples to the whole of New York with a population half that of Malaysia.

“Farms in Sarawak should be conducted on an economic scale otherwise why bother to invest in science and technology?” Dr Sim asked when announcing Betong as the state’s Food Basket when officiating at an ACCCIS annual general meeting at Meligai Hotel here last Saturday, June 17.

It was attended by over 100 leading businessmen in the state representing their respective Chambers of Commerce. Sarawak has 23 Chinese Chamber of Commerce though chambers from Kanowit, Mukah and Limbang were unrepresented at the meeting.

Dr Sim said ACCCIS has existed for more than 100 years, during which it contributed to the Sarawak economy.

He called on it to rejuvenate and set up a business school to groom young entrepreneurs in new techniques, packaging, delivery and marketing strategy.

On how China acquired its economic might, Sim said it advocated the ‘One Belt One Road’ policy.

“ACCCIS should consider UTC (Urban Transformation Centre) a one stop centre rather than go from one government department to another as every department is represented within UTC.

“Malaysian is at the centre of Southeast Asian trade within flying distance (six hours) to China, India or Indonesia. The market comprises a population of one billion in India, 1.5 billion in China, 400 million in Indonesia and 600 million in Asean. So you can produce 1000 pineapples for this huge market – possible as we’ve plenty of land. You need to apply science and technology to larger farms for economy of scale. The subsidy scheme is ongoing. The emphasis is on big plantations,” Dr Sim said.

ACCCIS president Hu Yu Siong, organising chairman of Kapit Chinese Chamber of Commerce Ling Hang Ping also spoke at the function.