KUCHING, May 6: Plans are afoot to turn Spaoh into a food production hub, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Uggah said this was inevitable in order for landowners and farmers to generate better income and to strengthen and promote the sub-district’s socioeconomic development.
“We hope to work with the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to start cattle breeding in its oil palm plantations.
“We are also thinking of breeding goats as well. A trial programme which has started among some farmers is the breeding of free range chicken which has high demand.
“We have around 3,000 families in Bukit Saban and if about 1,000 venture into this chicken rearing, we certainly can produce a lot for the market,” he said when launching Rumah Jawa Nabau longhouse’s Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), its Women Bureau and closing a Ngajat class in Suri Lalang, Spaoh, today.
Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, added another activity being promoted was the cultivation of maize as animal feed.
“Other activities now popular among the women are traditional and modern baking and traditional embroidery involving Baju Dabong or kebaya and Baju Buriek (handmade men and ladies wear).
“There has been a swell in the demand for these beautiful works of art. I would like to thank the women here for giving very close cooperation to my wife Datu Doreen Mayang in tirelessly promoting these activities,” he said.
He also said with the airport at Bebuling in active stage of construction, Spaoh must get ready to start producing now.
“The RM296 million airport will help us to reach the market in the shortest possible time. Then we are looking at developing our tourism sector as we do have touristy places here,”
He added all these activities were in line with the Sarawak government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) as envisaged by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — DayakDaily
