Uggah (third right) performs the opening gimmick for Kapit Agrofest 2019. From left are Dr Gluma Saban, Jamit, Nanta, Dr Abdul Rahman, Nyabong and Galong.
KAPIT: Kapit will receive a total of RM4 million in government’s allocation to boost the transformation of its agriculture sector, meant to increase the agriculture output, increase the farmers’ incomes and eradicate poverty.
Of the sum, RM2 million is to facilitate the fertigation method in modern farming, while the other RM2 million is slated for the purchase of ‘Musang King’ durian seedlings to be distributed to local farmers and also for the approved collection-processing-packaging centre (CPPC) here.
These programmes will be monitored by a taskforce group under the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda).
This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the opening ceremony of ‘Agrofest Kapit 2019’ at Bletih State Complex here yesterday.
According to him, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led Sarawak government under Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is committed to developing the rural areas across the state through the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP).
He observed that compared with urban areas, many rural areas lack basic infrastructure and amenities like electricity and treated water supply.
There is also under-utilisation of land, he added.
“There is development – (it is) just that people want more. GPS’ promises must be fulfilled.
“The Chief Minister has set up Urda, HDA (Highland Development Agency) for Baram, NRDA (Northern Region Development Agency) for Limbang and Lawas, and also the Southern Development Agency for Kuching and Samarahan.
“Previously, the SPU (State Planning Unit) in Kuching planned the development for Kapit. Now, (there is) a new bottom-up approach – Urda is chaired by (Deputy Chief Minister) Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, with Advisor in Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (also Kapit MP), and all the local elected people’s representatives in the committee – all planning the prioritised projects. This means that the projects are coming from, and are for, the grassroots,” said Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development.
Uggah also refuted the allegation about the absence of development in Kapit.
“We have development, but we want more to come,” he reiterated.
“The Chief Minister has allocated RM1.5 billion to each regional development agency to implement the development projects. There are road projects on-going, while others have already been tendered out.
“The RTP is the catalyst to improve the standard of living in the rural areas. Kapit has the land mass, rivers, as well as 226,000 hectares of NCR (Native Customary Rights) land set to be developed to generate incomes, improve the standard of living of the locals and eradicate rural poverty.
“The land owners must work hard – adopt modern agricultural techniques and modern means of maintenance in areas like grass-cutting and fertilisation – all slated for increasing output.
“The objective (is targeted income of) RM6,000 per month,” he said.
On Agrofest Kapit 2019, Uggah regarded the theme ‘Pioneering Modern Agriculture’ as ‘very apt’ in that the event could serve as a platform to promote agro-entrepreneurship and also the services and schemes made available by the relevant government agencies towards this end.
“We also want to promote the ‘Agriculture Is Business’ concept, to attract youths to be involved in modern agriculture,” he added.
It is learnt that next year, Betong Division will host the Agrofest.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, political secretary to chief minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Minister of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development’s Commercialisation and Industrial Training Section head Dr Gluma Saban, Deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Kapit District Officer Cerisologo Sabut, and Song District Officer Jacklyn August were among those present at the event.