Uggah (back row, fifth right) and other dignitaries pose for a group photo with recipients of outstanding farmers and entrepreneurs awards at the festival.
MARUDI: Baram has been envisioned by the ‘Baram Team’ to become an agricultural hub in the northern region.
The team, consisting of GPS leaders in Baram, also hopes that people in the parliamentary constituency will be provided with more relevant programmes and training that could entice the younger generation to engage in agriculture.
In his speech during the closing ceremony of Baram Agrofest 2019 at Marudi Town Square here recently, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Marudi assemblyman Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said he and the other team members including Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Baram MP Anyi Ngau have high hopes as well as various plans for the rural areas of Baram.
“One of them is to develop agriculture in Baram, towards modern agriculture and increasing the commercial value of agricultural produce here.
“We believe that with exposure, programmes and provisions of training and basic infrastructure such as road networks and good telecommunication system, Baram will become an agricultural hub in northern Sarawak,” he said.
On Baram Agrofest, Penguang said apart from being a replacement for Baram Regatta this year, it could be a platform to promote modern agriculture as business to Baram folk who are mostly farmers.
“We hope to make this festival a motivation for the younger generation to engage in modern agriculture. In addition, through exposure and agriculture development programmes offered by each agency or department in Agrofest, we hope that small farmers will start promoting their agricultural products, livestock, fisheries and downstream products, starting in Baram, then to Sarawak level and globally.”
Penguang lauded the organising committee comprising the Agriculture Department, Miri Resident’s Office, Marudi District Office, Public Works Department and other agencies for their success in organising the event.
He also thanked the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development and Miri Division Agriculture Department led by its officer Jackson Nanta for having agreed to choose Marudi town as the venue for Miri Division Agrofest this year.
At the event, Penguang proposed to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who graced the ceremony, to develop an agro park in Marudi to modernise the agricultural industry and infrastructure in the area.
“I also hope the Miri Division Land and Survey Department will identify suitable land in Marudi for this purpose. I would also like to request to consider building collection centres for agricultural and livestock products in Marudi and Beluru,” he added.
On a related matter, Penguang said the construction of Marudi Waterfront will begin soon and that Baram Regatta, slated for this year, had to be postponed to make room for the project.
“When I was told that Agrofest would be held in all divisions of Sarawak, I took the opportunity and began to lobby for the festival for Miri Division to be held in Marudi. After a series of discussions and meetings, it was decided that Agrofest for Miri Division will take place in Marudi and be rebranded as Baram Agrofest,” he added.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Anyi, Gerawat and Dennis.