KUCHING: The development of food security will be able to help the marginalised in the community, especially those in rural areas.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah expressed excitement when Agro Machtigen, a Sarawak-Dutch company that focuses on sustainable and innovative food security system showed interest in small farmers.
“It gives hope to those involved in this sector, especially those in rural areas. We also expect women to benefit through this effort.
“We want to empower women in the field of entrepreneurship regardless of whether they are just starting out or already successful. We want to see them succeed to a higher level.
“At the same time, help them generate a better income and reduce the poverty, especially among women,” she said.
Fatimah said this when met by reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Agro Machtigen at Bangunan Baitulmakmur 2, here, today (Jan 12).
She added that the products produced are expected to achieve a variety of quality and then be marketed by meeting the criteria in the international market.
In the meantime, Fatimah added that a collection centre to collect the produce by women throughout the state is ready.
According to her, it is located in Kota Samarahan and would start operations soon.
Under her own constituency, which is Dalat, she said there are still many unexplored resources.
“Therefore, this can be a start for further discussions with Agro Machtigen,” she said.
Meanwhile, Agro Machtigen’s chief operating officer Darren Ho said that the purpose of the visit was to develop the centre’s merger project with the ministry.
Ho said it is to help bring in all products from farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, manufacturers so that the products can be exported to the global market.
“We aim to work with every level of farmers as small as five hectares up to commercial farm operators. We want to expand our reach to as many of them as possible.
“We know that Sarawak has a goal to improve the commercialisation of the state’s products, so it is hoped that they will be able to build a brand that can be recognised globally later.
“We will also work with various levels of technology, but need to understand the type of product before being able to choose the appropriate technology to help them develop the value-added product,” he explained.
He added that farmers’ products will be taken and given added value to meet international needs before exporting the produce to the rest of the world.
