KUCHING, Oct 10: The Sarawak government has set aside a sum of RM60 million to assist the pepper and oil palm farmers in the state who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, the fund was to provide fertilizer for them.
“The State GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government is well aware of your problems. At the same time, its policy is to help farmers derive good income from their activities.
“Thus to help lessen your burden, it is setting up this fund to assist and put you back on firm footing,” he said in a meeting with about 40 longhouse chiefs and farmers from his Bukit Saban constituency, today.
Uggah, who is also the Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, said the Covid-19 situation had forced many agricultural activities of the government to be put on hold.
“I am sorry for this but it was inevitable for everyone’s sake. Now we will gradually be back with them. We want our farmers to generate income from their activities,” he said.
Uggah also pointed out that Betong Division still has a lot of untapped potentials given its land size, good soil and the hard-working culture of its farmers.
“We have, among others, approved a Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) here, where it will be like the Tarat CPPC in Serian Division in concept, and will focus on Durian.
“The government has planned for an agropark here as well. Then there is the Bebuling STOLPORT (short landing and Take-off airport) in Spaoh to assist in overseas marketing, with a food terminal being part of this airport set-up,” he said.
He added, efforts would also be intensified to introduce modern farming methods like fertigation and hydroponic to the people, besides livestock rearing. — DayakDaily.
