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By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, July 9: Emphasising the importance of green products, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says banks now only finance project proposals that meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements.
He said Sarawak is aiming for export-oriented food production and for that to happen, producing green products is one of the prerequisites.
“Firstly, agricultural produce must be of quality. Two, it must be accepted by the world.
“That is why, (having a) green product is important. The process (of food production) must be green as the banks now only finance project proposals based on ESG. That is the requirement of financial institutions,” said Abang Johari at “Sunday Morning with Premier 2.0: Dialogue Session with Young Entrepreneurs on New Economy” organised by DayakDaily and Pertubuhan Wartawan Bebas Kuching at Imperial Hotel here today.
He was responding to a participant from PwC Malaysia (Kuching), Nicholas James Charles, who raised queries on government efforts in promoting the adoption of digital technology in the agriculture sector, particularly in relation to vertical farming.
Abang Johari said agriculture is one of the enablers of Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 which orientates Sarawak to becoming a high-income economy and developed State.
In order to have high agricultural yield, he said, the Sarawak government has been encouraging precision farming, which does not require huge land size and the application of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).
He pointed out the use of AI would solve issues such as crop choice and soil type suitability, leaving farmers able to concentrate on logistics and marketing.
“Against that background, digital transformation is important in all sectors of economy,” said Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, he also reiterated that there must be a mindset change where agriculture is concerned and Sarawak must move away from the perception that agriculture means “farmers are those holding hoes with grunting faces” which few would want to take up.
“So we want to change our perception, our mindset. Agriculture in itself is an industry,” said Abang Johari, citing the success story of Nestle. — DayakDaily
