8 CPPCs to be built – Dr Abdul Rahman

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KUCHING: There are eight collection, processing and packaging centres (CPPCs) to be implemented in Sarawak through the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development.

Agriculture Assistant Minister Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said these CPPCs are to be located at Tarat in Serian Division, Layar and Spaoh (Betong Division), Lawas and Limbang (Limbang Division), Sadong Jaya (Samarahan Division), Long Lama (Miri Division) and Sungai Baji (Sarikei Division).

“Tarat CPPC is now under construction. The others are either at design stage or tender documentation stage. Contracts are expected to be awarded this year,” he said yesterday, in response to the question posed by Mong Dagang (GPS-Bukit Begunan) on how many agricultural CPPCs the ministry proposed to construct.

The assistant minister explained that CPPC is a comprehensive collection centre equipped with the infrastructure to conduct downstream processing and packaging in order to create products that meet export market standards.

“CPPC will be operated by private companies with the experience and access to existing markets.

“Through this concept, CPPC will conduct collection of local agricultural products that meet the specifications and quantities agreed. This is in line with the state government’s direction to plan for a market-oriented agricultural production,” he said.

Among the criteria to be taken into consideration before a CPPC can be constructed is that the area must have agricultural activities with potential.

“Also if the production output is not enough then there must be a study to consider whether there is land that can be used and whether the farmers in that particular area are ready to work their lands.

“Other criteria are, there must be an anchor company that is willing to become the CPPC operator and the location must be strategic,” he said.

On Mong’s question whether a CPPC will be built in Bukit Begunan, Dr Abdul Rahman said the government will consider it, provided there is existing production and that there is potential to increase the production.

He added that the cost to build a new CPPC ranges from RM500,000 to RM10 million.