By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Sept 8: The Kabuloh Agricultural Station will be elevated into a regional research centre to enhance Sarawak’s agricultural productivity in the northern region.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas revealed this today at the launching of Kabuloh Durian Fest 2019.
Currently, there is only one centralised agriculture research centre for the whole of Sarawak at Semenggok.
The Kabuloh Agricultural Station has been established since 1964, with its initial focus on oil palm production.
The station covers an area of 552 hectares.
The full proposal on the upgrading of Kabuloh into a regional research centre would be submitted by Uggah himself to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Uggah explained that the Sarawak government is aiming to increase agricultural production as it would not only help to boost the state’s revenue via exports, but also farmers’ incomes.
“The establishement of research facilities such as in Kabuloh and in Semenggok will help increase the productivity,” he pointed out.
He added, facilities inside the station (Kabuloh) would be also upgraded for agricultural research purposes.
Meanwhile, some 3,400 farmers from the vicinity received Musang King tree saplings from the Sarawak Agriculture Department at today’s event.
On the planting of Musang King durian, Uggah urged local farmers to learn the right planting techniques to achieve the best fruit quality.
“The Agriculture Department will be organising programmes or courses on how to grow quality Musang King durian to help farmers,” he disclosed, adding that Sarawak via various new initiatives and strategies is aiming to increase agricultural exports, including to Singapore, Brunei and China.
“Sarawak is aiming to become a net exporter of food products by 2030, and that is why we under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are planning and developing the agriculture sector,” he said.
Uggah was accompanied by his wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Abdul Rahman Ismail, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting, Assistant Minister for Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, and acting Sarawak Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai. — DayakDaily
