By DayakDaily Team
SERIAN, July 25: More successful agropreneur icons should be cultivated in every division to inspire the younger generation and demonstrate that agriculture can be a lucrative and sustainable career through commercialisation and the adoption of modern technology.
In making this suggestion, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom highlighted that the agricultural sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart farming systems, fertigation, greenhouse cultivation and the adoption of best agricultural practices, making it an increasingly attractive industry for young people.
“Agriculture can no longer be viewed as a dirty, difficult and low-income sector. The future of this sector depends on the use of modern technology capable of increasing productivity and generating higher returns,” he said when officiating at Serian Agrofest 2026 at the Serian Conference Centre (SCC) on Friday (July 24).
Dr Rundi said changing long-held perceptions about agriculture is essential to attracting more youth into the industry and ensuring Sarawak develops a skilled workforce capable of driving the sector’s transformation into a modern, competitive and sustainable industry, in line with the aspirations of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
He added that the State government is targeting Sarawak’s emergence as a net food exporter by 2030, a goal that will strengthen food security while improving the socio-economic well-being of communities, particularly in rural areas.
“To achieve this, efforts to increase farmers’ incomes must go beyond production yields and focus on developing downstream industries, value-added processing activities and a more organised supply chain,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, he urged the Department of Agriculture Sarawak to strengthen programme implementation by focusing on the actual needs of farmers based on land suitability, enterprise types and market demand.
He said the e-Tani system would help ensure agricultural input assistance is channelled more effectively to eligible entrepreneurs, optimising the use of government resources.
Dr Rundi also called on Area Farmers’ Organisations (PPK) to play a more proactive role in strengthening product marketing, reducing reliance on middlemen and encouraging cluster farming practices.
Among those present were Deputy Ministers for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Martin Ben, Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Serembu assemblyman Datuk Miro Simuh, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, M-FICORD permanent secretary Datu Sirai Daha, Agriculture Department director Dominic Chunggat and Serian Division Resident Mackos Sibong. — DayakDaily
