KAPIT: The government has identified a site for the Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) here.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, revealed this after launching the Agriculture Department’s Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) at a 44-door longhouse, Rh Manok Manchal, in Sungai Yong near here.
He said in the meantime, a temporary CPPC would be set up to help farmers sell their surplus harvests of ‘Dabai’ (indigenous seasonal fruits), durians and ‘Isau’ (local longan).
“We will provide the necessary machines. Kapit is very well-known for its high quality ‘Dabai’ which are always much sought after. When the fruits are vacuum packed, they can last up to three years,” said Uggah.
He added Kapit had huge potential in agriculture and the livestock industry due to its huge tracts of land.
“On the request for a large-scale economic project in Sungai Yong, my ministry hopes to do a soil survey and a potential crop survey first. The farmers here are experienced vegetable planters and land is a non-issue.
“Meanwhile, I am getting the Agriculture Department to promote modern agriculture methods like fertigation and hydroponics among the people. These systems do not need much labour or land but are very productive when properly managed. For livestock, we hope to introduce artificial insemination to produce more animals.”
Uggah then announced a new grant of RM1 million to carry out various new agriculture programmes in the Bukit Goram Constituency in addition to the RM1.7 million given earlier.
He also announced grants of RM20,000 to the longhouse JKKK and RM10,000 to its Women Bureau.
Uggah went on to say the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government was committed and sincere in helping the Dayaks.
He pointed out that many development programmes in the state involved them.
“Let us start with the latest major rural development programmes. At least three of the five newly created and strategic regional development agencies largely involve the community.
“They are the Sri Aman Development Agency (Sada), Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) and the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
“A budget of RM1.5 billion each has been allocated to Urda and HDA to initially develop their infrastructure and amenities.
Uggah revealed that an allocation of RM700 million was given to the Agriculture Department this year to organise income generating modern farming and livestock breeding programmes and activities.
“The beneficiaries are again the rural folks with their Native Customary Right (NCR) land. Our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg allocated a sum of RM40 million for the survey of NCR land this year.
“Recently, he allocated a piece of prime land measuring 2.32 hectares in Kuching City for the construction of the respective headquarters buildings of the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) and the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) known as Panggau Dayak.
“Not only that, he has also allocated a sum of RM50 million to build churches, temples and chapels in the state this year.
“Abang Jo has also given a 1.2-hectare prime site in Kuching City to build the Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) office complex besides contributing another RM70 million to the construction cost.
“These amply show the GPS government cares for and is fair to the Dayaks.
“It is only right the community reciprocate by continuing to fully support the GPS and all its candidates in the coming state election.
“We risk losing a lot if the GPS is not given the full mandate again,” said Uggah.
