KUCHING, Nov 19: Sarawak Government through the Ministry of Agriculture Native Land and Regional Development (Manred) has approved an allocation of RM1 million for Phase 2 of a banana plantation cluster project in Tasik Biru constituency.
According to a report from Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) today, the project will be implemented in 11 villages involving 248 participants, with an estimated area of 76.9 hectares, together with an assistance rate of RM13,000 per hectare.
Speaking during the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) held in Kampung Suba Bau on Thursday, Assistant Minister of Modernisaton of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the banana planting cluster assistance include developing the area, planting material, fertilisers, pesticides, and agricultural equipment.
“Under the Agricultural Facilitation Fund (AFF) for Tasik Biru, Tasik Biru incumbent Dato Henry Harry Jinep want to create a cluster for ‘Kepok’ type banana plantation, and for the implementation of the first phase, a total of RM4,990,850 has been approved.
“It was implemented in three villages in Singai area, namely in Kampung Daun Ngori with an area of 20 hectares and 27 participants, Kampung Senibong (8.1 hectares, 15 participants), and Kampung Tanjong Bowant (10.31 hectares, 14 participants).
“The ‘Kepok’ banana plantation that is cultivated in Tasik Biru area are of high grade, and in line with the vision and mission of the Agriculture Department towards making Sarawak as the ‘net food and agricultural product exporter’ by 2030,” he said.
Sagah noted that agriculture development in areas such as Tasik Biru constituency need to be implemented in a cluster to enable the infrastructure development such as roads to be implemented in facilitating the transportation of agricultural products to the market.
He said with the AgriCOP program such as this, it will help to disseminate the information on agricultural technology, pest controls, as well as good agricultural practices (myGAP).
“Through this, we hope it can help the farmers to increase their agricultural yields and at the samse time increase their income up to RM4,000 a month,” he added.
The Banana Planting Cluster Project Phase 2 involves a total of 248 participants from 11 villages with an estimated area of 76.9 hectares, as well as assistance rate of RM13,000 per hectare.
Among the villages involves are Kampung Suba Bandar (22 participants), Kampung Sibuluh (26), Kampung Suba Bau (28), Kampung Grogo (11), Kampung Nowang (11), Kampung Jagoi Duyoh (8), Kampung Apar (47), Kampung Tabong (28) and Kampung Barieng (50).
This includes 17 participants from both Kampung Tanjong Bowang and Kampung Senibung Singai. — DayakDaily
