By Jacob Achoi
BAU, Sept 6: Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep says ‘Pisang Kapok’ will become the prime crop in Tasik Biru in response to the state government’s call for the area to become a food producing basket.
He said for a start, about 900 acres in Singgai area has been identified for the pioneer project to involve 51 participants.
Henry said the participants are from Kpg Daun, Kpg Senibong and Kpg Tanjong Bowang, who will be attending courses on the planting of the banana crop this month.
“For Tasik Biru, we have identified ‘Pisang Kapok’ which has a big market and fetch higher prices, as the main crop and we have identified about 900 acres in Singgai area for the pilot project.
“And we expect the first production in October next year,” Henry told reporters today, after officiating at the opening of “Gerai Tani Jagoi’ along Jalan Serikin, near here.
He pointed out that the response from the people in the area to plant the crop was overwhelming.
Besides the 51 participants from the three villages, we have also received applications for another 800 acres for the planting of the crop,” he disclosed.
He hoped that the state government will allocate funds to continue with such a project to help the local farmers.
Henry stressed that the planting of the crop will be extended to other areas like Jagoi and Bratak, which are within the constituency.
“Mambong will have coffee belt, while Serumbu will have pineapples as the main crops, so we in, Tasik Biru will have ‘Pisang Kapok’,” he said.
While banana will become the main crop, Henry strongly encouraged the local farmers to also plant pineapple and tapioca.
“Our land is fertile, so that is why we want the state government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to continue to help our local farmers to engage in economic activities through agriculture,” he said.
Touching on the Gerai Tani Jagoi, he said RM20,000 was allocated through Bau District Council (BDC) to upgrade the facilities like providing toilet, roofing and painting, among others.
He said the premises will provide trading facilities to the people in the area.
Present was Bau district officer Anielia Siam.-DayakDaily
