MIRI: The Kabuloh Agriculture Research Centre here can be a research and development (R&D) centre in the state, especially for durians, said Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He suggested that the centre identify and conduct more research on native species of durians like the Durian Temaga.
“We ought to do more R&D on cross-breeding local durian species with the commercial varieties.
“I believe we can improve the taste or shorten the gestation period by doing this,” he added.
Uggah also suggested the centre share the results of its research with local farmers and identify the planted areas which could be further developed.
The minister stressed that it was the aim of the government to help rural folk have good incomes during the fruiting seasons.
Uggah also wanted the centre to do more R&D on other crops like mangoes, pineapples and coffee.
He made the call after a visit to the centre on Saturday.
He was accompanied by Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau; Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat; and Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai.
During the visit, divisional Agriculture officer Jackson Nanta briefed Uggah and his entourage on the agricultural projects in the division under the Agricultural Facilitation Fund of Uggah’s ministry.
The Kabuloh centre, set up in 1963, has an area of 552 hectares — 242 hectares are for crop research and 259 hectares for a permanent food production park.
Earlier, Uggah also visited a rubber planting scheme at Long Laput near Long Lama.
