By DayakDaily Team
SPAOH, Jan 10: The development of the Bebuling Agropark, covering approximately 300 hectares, is set to begin this year, with six major companies expressing interest in its development.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah revealed that these companies, all proponents of modern agriculture, hail from both Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
“These companies specialise in areas ranging from vegetable and fruit farming to poultry and crayfish rearing.
“They will act as anchor companies and invite interested individuals to become contract farmers. These companies will share modern farming knowledge and provide the necessary materials for planting or breeding. We plan to engage with three of them,” he said.
Uggah made these comments during an event where fertiliser assistance from the Agriculture Department was distributed to six oil palm smallholders out of a group of 249 recipients.
He noted that if the agropark proves successful, it could significantly boost farmers’ productivity and income.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, encouraged all involved, particularly officers from the Agriculture Department, related agencies, and the farmers themselves, to play an active role.
“This initiative will serve as a launching pad for introducing modern agriculture to the people. Technology-driven farming will reduce labour intensity, increase productivity, and improve profitability,” he said.
Uggah stressed the importance of modern farming for enhancing agricultural production and income, especially for the younger generation.
“We want our farmers to boost their production levels and, in turn, their income. We hope that the younger generation will be highly responsive to adopting modern farming techniques,” he added.
Another key goal, Uggah emphasised, is for the Bukit Saban area to become a major food production hub within the Betong Division.
To support this initiative, a collecting, processing, and packaging centre is being constructed near the Bebuling STOLport, which is also under development.
“The STOLport will provide faster transportation of products to markets,” Uggah noted.
Betong member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Dr Richard Rapu also addressed the event, expressing gratitude to the Sarawak government for its strategies aimed at enhancing the income of the local population through modern agriculture.
“I urge everyone to keep an open mind and be ready to embrace modern farming practices. All, including officers from government departments and agencies, must commit to ensuring the success of the Bebuling Agropark,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Department has allocated approximately RM500,000 for the purchase of 2,988 bags of fertiliser, which will be distributed to recipients from 65 longhouses and villages across Bukit Saban, Debak, and Betong. — DayakDaily
