KUCHING, July 18: Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom encourages farmers in the Kemena constituency to apply and practise modern agricultural practices to increase crop yields.
According to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Dr Rundi believes that by implementing modern technology, farmers will be able to save time, reduce manpower, and achieve greater productivity in production or harvest.
“Those involved need to get out of their comfort zone by changing the pattern of farming for their own use or subsistence farming, and switch to modern agriculture, which brings huge profits,” he said after presenting the minor rural project (MRP) grants at the Bintulu Divisional Agriculture Office in Bintulu on Friday (July 15).
In this regard, he also urged farmers to capitalise on the country’s food security crisis by investigating large-scale food production using cutting-edge technology.
At the same time, Dr Rundi, who is also the Kemena assemblyman, hoped that the Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) and State Farmers’ Organisation Sarawak (PPN) could be strengthened to assist farmers and smallholders with marketing.
Meanwhile, he reminded recipients of the MRP grants to use the allocation received in full and not to misuse it for personal gain.
He stated that the grant approved by the Sarawak government must benefit the local community and cannot be used for purposes other than those for which it was applied.
“Therefore, the recipient must ensure that the project is implemented as effectively as possible, including providing a project progress report to the ADUN (elected representative) Office for reference by the Ministry,” he said.
The MRP grants totaling RM200,660 were handed over to 20 recipients representing the village security and development committees (JKKK), Women Bureaus, and youth organisations of longhouses and villages, clubs, associations, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Kemena.
Also present were political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Victor Temenggong and special administrative officer Theadeus Ling Alu. — DayakDaily
