By Ling Hui
KUCHING, June 10: There supposedly should not be any food shortage in Sarawak, says Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak has vast lands and experts in modern technology including agriculture, thus it should not be an issue for Sarawak to produce its own crops or food.
“Supposedly, Sarawak should have a high food production level. We should be the exporter rather than the importer of food.
“You see, now chicken (supply) is also an issue. We are importing corn (chicken feed), but why don’t we plant our own corn? If the soil is not suitable, then we ask the experts, ask them to help us.
“We should not be facing issues with food supply,” he said when officiating the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here today.
Meanwhile, in Gedong, Abang Johari, who is also Gedong assemblyman, said he is looking into planting paddy in Lubok Punggor.
He said the current issue in Lubok Punggor is the stagnant water that could affect the quality of paddy cultivated there, which is now being handled by experts.
Abang Johari said Sarawak has much potential to plant crops like paddy, corn, bamboo, not only for domestic use, but also to be exported to other countries.
“We should be the exporter rather than the importer of food. We just need to implement modern agriculture,” he said.
Among other dignitaries present at the event were Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Perfoming Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi. — DayakDaily
