By William Isau
KANOWIT, Dec 18: More than 400 participants from Kanowit, Sibu and Julau participated in an oil palm course for smallholders at Rumah Lemi, Bawan here, today.
The programme was jointly organised by Solidaridad Network (M) Berhad and Dayak National Congress (DNC).
Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana officiated at the closing ceremony.
Among the matters discussed during the programme were the price of palm oil for smallholders, the high price of fertilisers and poisons in the current market and a proposal to establish a cooperative to safeguard the interests of oil palm smallholders.
Anyi in his speech encouraged local residents to utilise their land for oil palm plantations as it can provide them with a good source of income.
He explained that cultivating the crop on a large scale will definitely give good results and can generate economic activities especially for the rural population.
He also expressed hope that a cooperative to protect the interests of oil palm smallholders can be established to take care of matters related to farmers in the sector.
“This cooperative can also be used to help oil palm growers in any capacity so that they can benefit from its establishment. I support its establishment,” he said.
Also present were DNC deputy chairman Richard Lias and Penghulu Lembat Or. — DayakDaily
