By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, July 29: Construction has officially begun on the 13-hectare Sungai Sebiew Precision Farming Park, marking a significant leap forward in Sarawak’s efforts to modernise and transform its agriculture sector.
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the groundbreaking ceremony, held today at the Sungai Sebiew Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), was officiated by Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
In his address, Dr Rundi said the Agricultural Training Centre will be transformed into a major hub for modern agriculture, with a strong focus on precision farming powered by advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT).
He added that the initiative is also aimed at attracting greater youth participation in the agriculture sector.
“We believe this area must be transformed into a leading platform to strengthen the agriculture industry. Our focus is on youth involvement as modern agriculture is the future,” he said.
Dr Rundi also expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-Ficord), the Sarawak Department of Agriculture (DOA), and the Sarawak Land Development Board (SLDB) for their strong commitment in realising the project.
He further revealed that the DOA is currently refining a proposal for a large-scale, integrated 1,000-hectare agro park, which is expected to become a key site for commercial agriculture development in Sarawak.
Emphasising that quality and sustainability take precedence over land size, he said: “For me, the size of the land is not the main factor. What matters most is the quality and sustainability of the project to ensure its long-term success.”
He also expressed hope that the Sungai Sebiew project would surpass the achievements of similar initiatives, such as the one in Rampangi.
At a press conference following the event, Dr Rundi said that traditional subsistence farming is no longer viable in today’s economic context and must give way to commercial agriculture capable of delivering higher economic returns.
He noted that the integration of IoT in smart agriculture will empower farmers to manage their crops and livestock remotely, aligning with Sarawak’s broader digitalisation agenda.
Highlighting the progress in the livestock subsector, he cited that Sarawak had successfully exported 800 pigs to Selangor valued at RM1.83 million, and export of 2,000 pigs weekly to Singapore is evidenced of the State’s potential to become a net exporter of live animals.
“The strong demand for live animals creates an opportunity for us to become a net exporter, ultimately contributing to increased Sarawak’s revenue,” he said.
Also present at the event were Premier of Sarawak’s Department’s advisor Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Deputy Minister of M-Ficord Datuk Maclaine @ Martin Ben, and other distinguished guests. — DayakDaily
