KUCHING, Oct 31: The State’s Agricultural Commercialisation project at the Lubok Antu-Samarahan Communal Forest would help to improve the income and enhance the livelihood for a total of 104 families from three nearby villages.
The State Forest Department Director Datu Hamden Mohammad said, the 640-acre project, which is managed by the Korperasi Lubok Antu Reban Serian Berhad (KLARSB), is currently 15 percent in progress since the construction started in August this year.
“The implementation of this project is expected to provide socioeconomic benefit to a total of 104 families through their direct involvement in the employment, business opportunity, including the share distribution from their membership in KLARSB,” said Hamden in his speech when visiting the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Project through Commercialisation of Forestry in Sarawak for Communal Forest in Lubok Antu-Samarahan, held in Kampung Lubok Ria Hulu Community Hall, Serian, today.
Hamden pointed out that the project is one of the action mechanisms for the implementation incorporating the government policies that focus on the development and exclusivity for the ‘rakyat’, as well as sustainability.
“It is our hope that the corporation which is formed to manage the project will remain active in implementing the project, and Sarawak Forestry Department will continue to monitor the progress, including to ensure that the project implementation went smoothly in accordance with the component provided.
“Once the project is successful, hopefully, it would open up a wider opportunity for the development of farmland in Sarawak, and become a role model for other projects that will be implemented in the future,” he added.
Hamden pointed out that the State’s Agricultural Commercialisation project in Lubok Antu-Samarahan Communal Forest which is categorised as “Projek Rakyat”, was given an allocation of RM5 million by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in Feb 4, 2019, for the operation and infrastructure development.
“The Chief Minister also emphasised on the importance of research and development to speed up the growth of the crops, as well as the utilisation of technology such as drones and processing machines,” he said. –DayakDaily.
