SPAOH, Sept 20: The people in Spaoh have been urged to venture into modern farming.
Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas believed modern farming will provide greater economic development in Spaoh and raise the income of the people here.
“I want to bring new farming technologies here like the usage of drones for crop monitoring and management, harvesting machines for rice and others.
“It is for the people themselves to realise and strengthen Spaoh’s anticipated progress and prosperity by going into modern farming.
“But the people must agree to accept these new ways for better harvest and income.
“They must continue to remain united in supporting the (state) government,” Uggah who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said when launching the Agriculture Department AgriCOP (Agriculture Community Outreach Programme) here today.
Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, noted Spaoh’s strength was in modern farming as it has huge land in its hinterland while the town is located strategically in the Betong/Mukah Food Basket area and Sadok Agropolitan area.
“That is why the state government will construct an airport, the Bebuling Short-Take Off and Landing (STOL) port to airfreight food produced here.
“In the meantime, various new infrastructures are being implemented.
“These include a new iconic bridge across the Paku River, a new administrative centre, improving the drainage and irrigation and farm roads,” he added.
Uggah, who is also Second Finance Minister, said more projects will be implemented by the state government to provide greater development in Spaoh.
Those projects include new shoplots, clinics, government departments and staff housing and public housing areas.
He added that he would communicate the requirements to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his visit to Betong next week.
On the AgriCOP series currently organised statewide, Uggah said the programme was held to promote to the people the various modern farming programmes of the Agriculture Department.
He said the people should approach their nearest Agriculture Department offices for details and seek advice if they were interested in fertigation or hydroponic farming, food products manufacturing and livestock rearing.
At the function, Uggah also presented a grant of RM24,000 to help some fishermen here to buy fishing equipment.
A political secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident Friday Belik and Betong Division’s Agriculture officer Petrus Kang were among those present at the event. —DayakDaily
