BINTULU: Four fruits will feature strongly in the state’s efforts to increase its export revenue.
These fruits namely, pineapples, banana, coconut and durian, will be the focus of the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Ministry, said its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“There is high demand for fresh pineapple and pineapple-based products from our neighbouring countries, Middle East and China,” said Uggah, who is also deputy chief minister, in a speech read by Native Land Development Assistant Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn at the launch of Bintulu AgroFest 2019 yesterday.
A total of 97 government agencies and private sectors, including individuals, took part in the three-day event from April 26 – 28.
Kapit division will be hosting the next AgroFest to be held end of May.
“We are encouraging pineapple planting via smallholders and we want to boost up investment by the private sectors,” Uggah said.
According to him, the ministry is targeting to achieve 100,000 hectares from the existing 1,700 hectares for pineapple fruits planting by 2030.
“We also target to achieve 100,000 hectares of land for coconut planting by the year 2030, compared to the current 12,600 hectares,” he said.
Besides, these two fruits, banana and durian also have high potential with demand from China growing, especially in the case of Durian King, Uggah revealed.
It is estimated that Sarawak today has about 400,000 matured durian trees growing.
“However, due to lack of care and weak market access, many of these trees are unproductive,” he pointed out.
He said his ministry has identified several areas in Miri and Bintulu divisions that are suitable for growing durian, especially Durian King.
On another note, as part of the Sarawak government’s aspiration to encourage more youth involvement in agriculture, three agro parks (establishment) have been approved.
“Two of the agro parks are located in Sarikei (Sungai Bajik and Sungai Sian) and one in Sadong Jaya (Samarahan), while in Bintulu, the plan to build the agro park is still under process,” said Sagah when met by media after the launch.
Sagah later presented awards to six local individuals for their success in the agriculture sector.
Each one of them received a certificate and RM600 in cash.
Also present were Samalaju assemblyman Majang Renggie, and the ministry’s head for commercialisation of agriculture division Dr Gluma Sabang, and Bintulu Resident Jack Aman Luat.
