SELANGAU, Feb 12: The commercial planting of pineapples may soon become a viable source of side income for residents of Rumah Seliau in Ulu Oya near here.
Batang Oya-Pakoh Sekuau Development Association chairman Henry Kanyan Rawing told reporters a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the residents and a company to develop 497 hectares of land would be signed soon.
He revealed this today during a pineapple cultivation course in Pasai Siong organised by the association and the Malaysian Pineapple Industrial Board.
The company would also be teaching residents how to plant pineapple commercially.
“The project would also attract youths in longhouses to take up agriculture and reap income from the commercial planting of pineapples,” noted Henry who is also a councillor with Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC).
He added the project was in line with the state’s aspiration of becoming a major producer of agricultural products.
Some 135 longhouse residents took part in the pineapple cultivation course. — DayakDaily
