By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Nov 17: A total of 232 pepper farmers in P198 Puncak Borneo benefited from assistance rendered under the New Pepper Planting Scheme (STLB) and Mature Pepper Planting Scheme (STLM).
According to P198 Puncak Borneo incumbent Datuk Willie Mongin, overall, the value of STLM and STLB assistance under the pepper agri-commodity sector channeled to P198 Puncak Borneo for 2022 is around RM1.58 million.
“The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (KPKK) is committed in providing assistance to small-scale farmers in the country and will continue to encourage the communities to get involved in the pepper industry by making this commodity crop a source of income,” he told a press conference held after officiating at the Pepper Industry Empowerment Programme at Kampung Tringgus Matan Nguan in Bau, today.
During the ceremony, Willie, who is also caretaker KPPK Deputy Minister, handed over a mock cheque for STLM and STLB funds totalling RM302,900 to 152 pepper farmers in Puncak Borneo parliamentary constituency.
Earlier on, Willie also officiated at and handed over a newly completed 400-metre long farm road project (JLPK) built at a cost of RM394,000, to Kampung Tringgus Mantan Nguan farmers.
He said from 2021 to 2022, three JLPK projects were or are being built in P198 Puncak Borneo at a cost of RM1.27 million. — DayakDaily
