PAKAN, Sept 24: Farmers have been called upon to embrace modern farming to generate income and improve the socio-economy wellbeing of the people in rural areas.
Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom highlighted the state government through the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development provides many opportunities to venture into modern farming and that its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has plans and strategy to develop modern agriculture in the state.
He noted the Bebuling Short Take Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) which is under development by the state government is to facilitate the exports of agricultural produce by local farmers including those from Pakan.
“The marketing of agricultural products can be implemented online.
“It can be said that all of us now have smartphones. It is not just for entertainment but smartphones can be used to market agricultural products,” he pointed out when officiating at the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) at Rh Saba, Nunggang recently.
He added Pakan currently has good road connectivity while approximately 97 per cent of households have electricity supply and 60 per cent treated water supply.
He asserted road networks which connect farming areas to the town are key to develop modern farming.
“All the opportunities to market agricultural produce are currently provided by the government. Are we ready to venture into agropreneurship?
“Our agricultural produce has big potential to be the catalyst which could raise the socio-economy in the rural areas,” he added.
Mawan at the same time also urged village chiefs to play an active role by encouraging the youths to venture into modern farming. — DayakDaily
