Sarikei, Betong areas to be Sarawak’s food basket by 2030 – Uggah

0

 

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas

SARIKEI: Sarikei and Betong divisions in the state will be developed to become the state’s food basket by  2030, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said today.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said there was plenty of land in the areas still available for large scale and commercial cultivation of fruits.

“We are confident we can achieve this as we will rely on new  farming method and modern technologies besides also having the advantages of  hardworking farmers and people interested to invest as well,” he said when launching the annual and week-long Sarikei Pineapple and Fruits Festival here.

He said the state government viewed this as a very big challenge but it was confident of success by encouraging local farmers to produce in very large quantities.

“We will ensure that whatever products they produce will meet stringent quality standard expected by importing countries. We will propose the setting up of  a collecting centre to collect fruits from all over,” he added.

On the Sarikei Division areas, Uggah said, it produced some 21 different varieties of fruits with durian alone occupying a cultivated acreage of 800 hectares at present.

“Now there is a huge demand for the Musang King durian from China. We are encouraging farmers to expand their gardens to step up productivity,” he said.

He said Sarikei district  too was famous for its sweet pineapple and is currently the country’s second largest producer of the fruit.

“It is now the government’s plan that by 2020, it will be the country’s biggest producer by increasing  the area under cultivation from 221 hectares now to about 2,000, he said.

He added his ministry would work closely with the Malaysian Pineapple Board on planting the NB2 variety which has a longer shelf life. – Bernama