KUCHING: The state government today inked two memorandums of agreement (MoA) on food production programmes with private investors.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas witnessed the signing on behalf of the government which was represented by the Agriculture Department.
The agreements were signed between the state Agriculture Department and Green World Genetics Sdn Bhd (GWG) and another with Saramanis Sdn Bhd (Saramanis).
The MoA with GWG will facilitate the company to operate a quality seed production centre, crop breeding and processing plant, training and Research and Development Centre on a 27.59 hectare site at the Department of Agriculture (DoA) Training Centre in Debak, Spaoh in the Betong Division.
Uggah said Sarawak is keen in starting its seed industry programme.
“We are looking forward to this collaboration to make the state a major producer of quality seeds,” he said.
He pointed out that the country was even short of padi seed which could affect the nation’s future food security.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, said the state was in the process of identifying more lands for its food programme.
“We want to make them available for interested entrepreneurs. We need to be very competitive as we are facing stiff competition in food production.
“In this regard, I want the department officers to help our private sector in such developments instead of becoming a stumbling block,” he added.
GWG was represented by its chief executive officer Dr Chua Kim Aik while DoA director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet signed on behalf of the department.
The other agreement was with Saramanis Sdn Bhd to develop the state’s pineapple industry.
The agreement will allow Saramanis to use a 50-hectare site at the DoA Northern Region Research Centre, Kabuloh in Miri to develop a pineapple demonstration plot.
It will be used to train farmers on the latest technology in producing high quality pineapple that meets the export market requirements and standard.
