Monday, 27 January 2025

Better farming ends rural poverty

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Uggah (second from left) presents the Ikon Petani Jaya award to banana farmer Jingkoon Jambu from Maludam, flanked by Dr Rundi and Datuk Martin Ben.

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SPAOH: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas hailed the Agriculture Department’s role in lifting rural communities out of poverty, marking it as a defining achievement in the department’s 100-year history.


He pointed to a visible improvement in living standards, with rural residents now able to afford cars, own concrete longhouses and purchase homes in towns and cities.


“This is a clear indicator of the positive changes,” he told reporters after officiating the closing of the Spaoh Agrofest held here today (July 14).


Uggah acknowledged the past struggles of rural farmers, who often faced food insecurity despite their agricultural pursuits.


“In the past, despite farming, rural people often lacked sufficient food and faced malnutrition.


“This issue has disappeared, and our current focus is on increasing their income,” he said.


The Bukit Saban assemblyman credited the cultivation of commercial crops like cocoa, rubber, pepper, and oil palm by embracing modern practices in agriculture like the Internet of Things (IoT), hydroponics, fertigation, artificial intelligence (AI), and hybrid seeds.

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He lauded the Agriculture Department for effectively utilising and synchronising these technologies to benefit the people.


Uggah expressed confidence that modern methods, with their potential for higher income, could entice youth.


“Encouraging youth to become farmers is a significant challenge.


“However, when they see the benefits and good income potential, I believe they will consider modern agriculture as a career,” he said.


Meanwhile, Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi echoed Uggah’s sentiments, highlighting the sector’s role in poverty eradication.


“Modern agriculture does not rely solely on manual labour, thanks to new technologies,” Dr. Rundi said.


He pointed to advancements like greenhouses that address soil limitations, and encouraged the adoption of technologies used in leading agricultural countries.


Also present was Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu and Kedup assemblyman Datuk Martin Ben.

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