By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, Sept 12: A sum of RM107,000 in the form of Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant was disbursed to seven organisations in Mambong area today.
The recipients who received the grant from Assistant Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil are Kelab Rekreasi Masyarakat Bidayuh (RM10,000), St Martin Church Kpg Nyiru Grait (RM30,000), Rela Kpg Bayur (RM10,000) and Persatuan Wanita Kpg Nyiru Grait (RM10,000).
Others are Kelab Belia Kpg Bunuk (RM30,000), Kpg Sorot Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), which received RM30,000 and JKKK of Kpg Sikog (RM5,000).
The grant presentation in the form of cheque was graced by Dr Jerip, who is Mambong assemblyman, in conjunction with the closing of Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCop).
The one-day programme held at St Paul Parish Church Hall was attended by 135 participants from Kpg Segu Bunuk, Kpg Bratan and Kpg Punau.
Dr Jerip at the closing ceremony said coffee will become the prime crop in the area, where a coffee processing and collection centre (CCPC) will be built at Padawan Growth Centre at Bayur along Jalan Borneo Heights.
He said his initiative for the area to become a coffee belt finally bears fruit after 10 years.
“Actually the initiative to turn Mambong area as a coffee belt started 10 years back, but the people there were still not prepared.
“So I’m happy now because the people are now prepared to make agriculture becoming a business,” Dr Jerip said.
He advised the people to work with Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) to have their land documented for commercial agricultural activities like the planting of coffee.
Present were Sarawak administrative officer (SAO) from Padawan sub-district Rangen Jamang and Kuching division Agriculture officer Chong Mui Sia, among others.-DayakDaily
