A total of 8,500 kilometres of farm roads have been developed across Sarawak under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to strengthen rural connectivity and support agricultural activities statewide.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the infrastructure development also included three kilometres of rural roads, 8.83 kilometres of river and coastal protection works, as well as drainage and irrigation systems covering 3,000 hectares of agricultural land.
“These initiatives represent a total scheme value of RM450 million and directly benefited 30,000 farmers and rural communities by strengthening connectivity, safeguarding livelihoods and enhancing resilience against environmental challenges,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (May 19).
Dr Rundi said the ministry, together with GIATMARA and FELCRA Bina, also received a total allocation of RM438 million under the Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera (PPRS).
As of this year, more than 2,300 out of 2,900 houses under the Bina Baharu scheme had been completed.
In addition, 11,200 out of 12,300 houses under the Baikpulih scheme were also completed, while the remaining units were still under various stages of implementation.
“With continued emphasis on sustainability, technological innovation, value-added processing and export expansion, the sector is well-positioned to strengthen food security and contribute further to the state’s long-term economic development,” he said.
