MIRI, Aug 3: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is optimistic that Senadin can be transformed into one of the main pineapple producers in the near future.
Uggah, who is also Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said the pineapple plantation in Senadin has already been considered as the largest in northern Sarawak.
A land size of 12.5 acres was used for cultivation of the MD2, or “super sweet pineapples” by Eastern Union Agriculture Development Cooperative, he added.
“The MD2 variety has a longer shelf life and ideal for export,” he told reporters when visiting the plantation, here, today.
Uggah, who was impressed with the set up, encouraged farmers to participate in fruit production, as it would become a lucrative industry in the state.
He added that the state government was in the process of identifying a suitable location to set up a fruit collection centre in Miri to help local farmers sell their fruits.
In addition, the governemnt was also focusing on developing downstream activities in the sector.
“We want to help increase the production via downstream activities of the sector, so that we can export our products abroad,” he said.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also Senadin assemblyman, was present. — DayakDaily
