By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 19: The agricultural product marketing chain in Sarawak remains weak and disorganised, causing many high-potential local products to fail in penetrating the market effectively.
Despite producing high-quality goods, Sarawak’s agricultural sector continues to struggle in unlocking its full commercial value due to inadequate supply and marketing systems.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report, Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-Ficord) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the inability to market products effectively is among the main reasons the sector has yet to achieve its full potential.
“We can’t just be good at producing, but shy about selling. If we’re not bold in promoting our products, they will go nowhere.
“Don’t wait for customers to come — we must go out and market our products with confidence,” he said in his keynote address during the Ministerial Mandate Ceremony with the Sarawak Department of Agriculture held on Wednesday night (June 18).
Dr Rundi pointed out that many small local producers, such as those making tahai paste and kek lapis, face difficulties in scaling up due to inconsistent supply of raw materials and the absence of an integrated marketing and distribution system.
“I’ve been on the ground myself and found that the problem isn’t a lack of products — it’s the lack of a proper supply and marketing chain,” he said.
He called on all agencies and departments involved in agriculture to take proactive responsibility in strengthening marketing strategies.
This includes supporting farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in areas such as promotion, branding, packaging, distribution, and the adoption of digital marketing tools.
“We must help our farmers move beyond traditional mindsets. Don’t just plant to feed yourself. Agriculture today must be about generating profit. It must be treated as a business,” he asserted.
Dr Rundi also highlighted the need for a comprehensive, end-to-end marketing approach covering upstream to downstream activities, including brand development, market access, and modern packaging innovations.
He further stressed that the culture of being shy or fearful of doing business — especially among young agropreneurs — must change if Sarawak wants to transform its agricultural landscape.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, adviser in the Premier of Sarawak’s Office (M-Ficord) Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, permanent secretary to the ministry Datu Sirai Daha, and Sarawak Agriculture Department director Dominic Chunggat. — DayakDaily
