KUCHING: Serembu has the potential of becoming a major food hub in Sarawak, which could strengthen the food economy, provide food security, increase fresh food production, and ensure access to local food products.
Its assemblyman Miro Simuh said that with Kuching and Serembu’s close proximity to each other, they have a lot of potential for agriculture.
“We could boost the livestock farming industries that are becoming more and more important to ensure food security.
“The broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower that we eat, all come from China, and not Sarawak. With China’s population of 1.4 billion, they could still manage to export food to other countries.
“However, Sarawak, with a population of only 2.9 million, was unable to feed its own people — which I would like to see happen one day,” he said.
He was speaking to the reporters at the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) mini lab for N18 Serembu at the Riverside Majestic Hotel here today (Feb 18).
He also pointed out that currently Serembu has ample idle lands, including Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands, that have not been developed; therefore, he urged the community leaders in the area to plan on how to develop and cultivate these lands.
Elaborating, Miro said that there are future plans to set up a food production factory in the state constituency, but he stressed that it is important to ensure sustainable raw materials before inviting investors and operating factories to manufacture products.
He also noted that Sarawak’s pineapple exports to Singapore are evidence that success in local produce can be achieved.
“This mini lab is intended to be used as a platform to get ideas, plans, projects, and developments that will be brought up to the bigger labs at the end of the month.
“This will ensure that Serembu will not be left behind in socio-economic development,” he said.
In this regard, he hoped that the RM1.5 billion allocation under GKCDA could be used to develop Serembu’s food industry, which could position the state constituency as a food safety and security hub in the future.
Also present were Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, GKCDA special administrative officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, Bau district officer Constantine Gerald David Jonas and Oddessy Palmer, representing the Kuching Resident.
