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More land needed for expansion

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Uggah inspecting a hydroponic farming exhibition at the function.

SPAOH: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Spaoh town needed more land for its expected expansion which included new shoplots, a clinic, government departments and staff housing as well as public housing areas.

“I will bring this requirement to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his visit to Betong next week,” he said.

Uggah, who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, was speaking at the launch of the Agriculture Department Agriculture’s Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) here on Sunday (Sept 20).

He said with its location in the Betong / Mukah Food Basket area and Sadok Agropolitan area, Spaoh’s strength was in modern farming.

He pointed out that the town had large tracts of land in its hinterland.

Uggah looking at ginger planted through fertigation method.

“That is why the government will construct an airport, the Bebuling STOLport, to airfreight food produced here. In the meantime, various new infrastructure have already been implemented.

“These include a new iconic bridge across the Paku River, a new administrative centre, and upgrading of the drainage and irrigation systems and farm roads. It is for the people themselves to realise and strengthen Spaoh’s anticipated progress and prosperity by going into modern farming.

“I want to bring new farming technologies here like the usage of drones for crop monitoring and management, harvesting machines for rice and others.

“But the people must agree to accept these new ways for better harvests and incomes. They must continue to remain united as usual in supporting the government,” he added.

On the statewide AgriCOP series currently organised, Uggah, who is also Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister, said they were to publicise to the people the various modern farming programmes of the department.

He said the public should approach the nearest Agriculture Department for details and advices if they were interested in fertigation or hydroponic farming, food products manufacturing and livestock rearing.

At the function, Uggah presented a RM24,000 grant to help some fishermen here purchase fishing equipment.

Political secretary to the chief minister, Dr Richard Rapu, Betong Resident, Friday Belik and Betong Division agriculture officer, Petrus Kang were among those present.

Uggah symbolically presenting the fishing equipment grant to a representative of the fishermen, witnessed by Petrus (right) and Friday (centre).

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