By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 5: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressed his enthusiasm for cultivating vegetables such as lettuce and chilies in his backyard, highlighting how it enables him to enjoy fresh, healthy salads while reducing household expenses.
He revealed that his small greenhouse also produces bananas and terung asam (local brinjal), offering a variety of fresh produce.
“When people ask how I stay active, my answer might just be the lettuce I grow myself. I don’t have to spend money buying it because I harvest it from a small greenhouse behind my house,” he said when officiating the Metropolitan Food Cluster (MFC) in Opar, Lundu, today which was broadcast live through Ukas Channel.
Highlighting the role of technology, Abang Johari explained how modern tools have revolutionised gardening and farming practices, enabling him to monitor and manage crops through his smartphone from anywhere.
“Now, I can check on my crops remotely. If water levels are low, I can simply call someone at home to handle it. If I can do this, I’m confident the people of Opar can do it too,” he said.
He also demonstrated how smart technology simplifies farming tasks. “Even in hot weather, a single ketek (click) can activate the watering system,” he said, encouraging local farmers to embrace these technological advancements.
Abang Johari delighted attendees by showcasing real-time footage of his small greenhouse on his smartphone.
“I know when the vegetables and fruits are ripe and ready for harvest just by checking my smartphone. I’m not joking—this is real,” he added.
He urged small-scale farmers to adopt smart agriculture tools to enhance productivity and seize opportunities for exporting their produce.
“This is the importance of technology—it connects people to what they do. If we want to develop the agriculture sector, we must adopt modern, advanced methods,” he emphasised.
The Premier reaffirmed the Sarawak government’s commitment to improving telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring communities across the State can access cutting-edge agricultural technologies. — DayakDaily
