SPAOH: Dr Richard Rapu, the Betong Member of Parliament, emphasised the need for agricultural business models that can be successfully implemented in semi-rural and rural settings.
He suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) should pay more attention to this issue and implement the appropriate models here.
“We recognise the importance of food security for the country. Thus, we need to develop and implement agriculture-based business models that are tailored to the unique needs and challenges of semi-rural and rural areas,” he said.
He made these comments at the 2023 Gawai Dayak Bidai Breeding Ceremony, themed ‘Bersakup Segulai Sejalai’ which was held yesterday at the Spaoh Community Hall and declared open by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
However, Dr Rapu acknowledged that there are several challenges that agricultural businesses face in rural areas. For instance, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and a shortage of skilled labour.
“In many rural areas, there is a lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity, water, and transportation. These challenges make it difficult for farmers to access markets and connect with suppliers,” he said.
Dr Rapu also pointed out that access to finance is a major hurdle for agricultural businesses in rural areas.
“Many farmers lack the capital they need to invest in new equipment, technologies, and land. They face difficulty in obtaining loans from banks and other financial institutions due to the perceived risks associated with agriculture,” he added.
Furthermore, there is a significant shortage of skilled labour in many rural areas. There is often a lack of training and education opportunities, which hinders the development of a skilled workforce.
“To overcome these challenges, we need to work together to develop innovative solutions that can help farmers access finance, build infrastructure, and develop a skilled workforce. For example, we could establish microfinance institutions to provide low-interest loans to farmers, build community infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems, and provide training and education programmes to develop a skilled workforce,” he said.
Dr Rapu stressed that it’s vital to embrace new technologies and innovative approaches to agriculture in semi-rural and rural settings. By doing so, we can maximise the potential of our agricultural industry and create sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.
