BATU NIAH: An allocation of RM2.1 million has been channelled to 1,769 participants of agricultural programmes in the Kemena state constituency under the implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, said agricultural development in the area also recorded encouraging progress during the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), with RM1.49 million distributed to 2,480 individuals through various agricultural support programmes.
“This allocation proves the government’s commitment to ensuring that rural communities, especially in the Kemena constituency, continue to benefit from the progress and yield of the agricultural sector.
“With the modern agriculture approach and strategic cooperation between government agencies and the private sector, we are confident that farmers will continue to be empowered and enjoy long-term benefits,” he said while officiating at the Subis District Agrofest 2025, held at the Batu Niah Community Hall here on Saturday.
He said agriculture remains the fourth-largest contributor to Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a value of RM14.7 billion recorded between 2020 and 2023.
He added that the government is currently intensifying various initiatives to achieve 60 per cent rice self-sufficiency by 2030, including the development of Agroparks, SARTECH, and Aquaculture Parks, as well as empowering farmers through the public-private-community partnership (PPCP) model.
The event also featured the presentation of the Entrepreneur Success Awards to industry players in four categories: Edwin Pandong won in the Food Crops category, Mariana Murib in the Agro-Based Industry category, and Peter Bai in the Inland Fisheries category, while the Youth Entrepreneur category also received recognition.
Each recipient took home RM500 and a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their contributions to advancing the state’s agricultural sector.
