BINTULU: The community here is urged to identify commercial crops other than palm oil to empower Sarawak’s agricultural sector.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said, commercial crops such as eggplant, chilli, cangkok manis, melon and pineapple could give double profits as well as help increase income.
“Modern methods including smart farming can also be used to increase agricultural production.
“Currently, many communities in Bintulu are working on palm oil plantations due to the ‘saleable guarantee’ factor.
“Therefore, I always advise the community to identify crops that are easy to cultivate and can get returns in a short time,” he said.
He said this at the Program Randau Bersama Ahli of Ta Ann Pelita Silas Plantation Sdn Bhd Area Development Committee (ADC) at 98 Mart, Jalan Ulu Sebauh here on Friday.
He added that with the Pan Borneo Highway facilities, the produce of this crop could be shipped and marketed throughout Sarawak.
In another development, the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president also urged the community leaders who were present to check the list of voters and ensure that the residents of the longhouse under their supervision would come to cast their votes in the Jepak by-election on Nov 4.
