By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, May 19: While RM103.3 million has been approved by the Sarawak and federal governments for the implementation of more than 300 farm road projects covering over 1,900 kilometres across Sarawak in 2026, it is actually far from the number of requests received by the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD).
According to M-FICORD minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the numbers received so far stand at 841 farm road projects covering 3,428 km with an estimated total project cost of RM347 million but indicated that it may not be enough.
“We are expecting more requests to come,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech which he delivered at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting here today.
Dr Rundi said his ministry has received overwhelming requests from farmers throughout Sarawak for new farm roads, as well as the maintenance and upgrading of existing ones.
He elaborated that farm roads remain a key enabler in improving connectivity between rural farming communities and marketplaces, while reducing transportation costs and post-harvest losses.
“Better road infrastructure also supports rural economic growth, improves mobility, and encourages greater investment in the agriculture sector.
“Therefore, my ministry continues to prioritise the expansion and upgrading of farm road networks throughout Sarawak,” he said. — DayakDaily
