KUCHING: The role of the Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Ministry is not only to provide subsidies to the farmers and fishermen but also to help them have a stable income to ensure a secured future.
Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the ministry is committed to providing the assistance so that they can form a society or community that is independent and can live on its own.
“If subsidies continue to be given for the long term,we foresee dependence on the assistance and that should not be the way forward for all of us.
“However, I do not deny that in the early stages we really need help but it is not forever,” he said during the launching of Aco Lepa Ajau Birami Gawai “Sayu Adau Ledoh” recording programme at the P.Ramlee RTM Kuching Auditorium, on Friday night, representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Therefore, Rundi said the community especially farmers, must not continue living in the traditional way without improving themselves for the years to come.
“The farmers must follow and be willing to learn modern agriculture with new technology which can help increase production and incomes.
“We also need to change the way of thinking that agriculture is just ‘kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang’ but that agriculture is a business and about earning money,” he said.
He added that the farmers and fishermen are in the B40 group and need to be shifted to a group that can be independent.
“Because by the year 2030, our vision in the Sarawak government is for the whole family to have at least RM6,000 a month so that they will be able to adapt to life nowadays,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Rundi said the Gawai celebration is not only to mark the end of the harvest season but should bring everyone together to progress in agriculture.
“We need to look at our friends on the left, right, front and back – if they are less skilled we who have the advantage need to share so that we can help develop them.
“Those who are developed and advanced, share your experience not only in terms of agriculture but also on living so that the community, especially in rural areas, is also developed and can be competitive,” Rundi said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities II Datuk Willie Mongin, Sarawak Broadcasting Department (RTM) Director Nasrul Hakim Mohd Noh and others.
Regarding of the Aco Lepa Ajau Birami Gawai “Sayu Adau Ledoh” programme this year, involved a combination of Wai FM Iban, Wai FM Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang and Bisaya radio channels. It also involved RTM Limbang and Miri.
The recording will be aired on June 1 in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak on RTM TV, social media and radio channels of the six ethnic groups respectively.
