KUCHING, Jan 20: Pulau Bruit has the potential to become a food production center or ‘food basket’, said Semop assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
According to a news report from Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) today, the Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications, hoped that the Sarawak government which has been given a big mandate by the people, would continue to focus and provide a substantial amount of budget to empower local farmers and fishermen.
“By empowering the local fishermen and farmers, it would help to reduce Sarawak’s dependency on imported food.
“About 2,000 members from the fishermen association in Pulau Bruit area are able provide the fish supplies, while the farmers can supply vegetables, fruits and many others,” he said during the closing ceremony of the AgriCop programme held in Kampung Tekajong Community Hall in Pulau Bruit on Wednesday.
Abdullah said in 2020 and 2021, an allocation of RM1.5 million in agricultural input assistance was channeled to 290 participants in the area.
He also said Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Atom will continue to focus on the programme as it is one of the government’s initiatives in helping to improve the rural population’s socio-economic status.
“The urban areas have its own role, but in the rural areas, farmers and fishermen are among the communities that serve as the supplier for food resources to every household in the State as well as the country,” he added.
On the same note, Abdullah also urged Semop constituents to set up an association to enable various programmes or assistances to be implemented effectively. — DayakDaily
