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Upgrading rural farmers into commercial producers: Dr Rundi

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Uggah (second from left) showing the document with Dr Rundi (third from left)

KUCHING: The Ministry of Agriculture Modernisation and Regional Development is looking at ways to upgrade the struggling subsistence rural farmers into commercial producers.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi said although his focus for the ministry would be more on helping the state to become a net food producer and exporter, his main concern was on rural farmers.

“We want to assist them to increase their productivity and income simultaneously. I believe the only way to deliver is for all to work with commitment as a team.

“The agriculture sector is after all one of the enablers of the state post Covid-19 strategic development as a high income society by 2030.

“A team will fail if somehow any of its members does not perform or fail to deliver,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to venturing out and exposing himself to something quite massive like the agriculture sector.

He said this after Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas had officially handed over the Ministry of Agriculture Modernisation and Regional Development portfolio to him as its new minister on Friday (Dec 7).

Dr Rundi further stated that he would continue the good work done by Uggah and consult him on pertinent matters related to the ministry.

“Uggah, from my personal observance of following him for many years, is also a very hard-working minister. I hope I can emulate his work culture,” he said, hoping to translate his hard work so that the people could feel the greater impact.

Meanwhile, Uggah congratulated Dr Rundi along with the ministry’s assistant ministers, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Modernisation of Agriculture) and Martin Ben (Regional Development) on their appointments to the ministry.

“This is a very interesting ministry. It has its own tagline which is to help the state become a net exporter of food products by 2030.

“It is also one of the very important agencies to help spearhead the state’s development into a high-income society by the same year,” he mentioned.

In the meantime, Uggah also conveyed his appreciation to everyone from all agencies under the ministry for their full support of him and his team in the last five years.

Also present were the ministry permanent secretary Datuk Edwin Abit; Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai; State Veterinary Services Department director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud; Sarawak Land Development Board general manager Siang Mandaw; Salcra general manager Joseph Blandoi; and other senior officers from the ministry and its agencies.

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