KUCHING: The ‘Lebihkan Makan Buah-Buahan Tempatan’ campaign will continue during the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
Department of Agriculture (DOA) Sarawak Director, Dominic Chunggat, said the programme, spearheaded by the department, has already been incorporated into the agency’s official activities.
“This platform allows all of us to experience and appreciate the richness and quality of our local fruits. The programme was an idea initiated by Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development.
“It is jointly organised by the ministry and its agencies, including the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA), Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), Sarawak Rubber Industry Board, Sago and Nipah Development Board, Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Sarawak and the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board,” he told reporters after Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg launched the campaign at the DUN Complex here today.
Dominic said the initiative is one of the ministry’s continuous efforts to strengthen and promote local fruit production.
He added that both the department and the ministry have set targets to further develop four key local fruits – banana, pineapple, coconut and durian.
“Alongside this, we will continue to enhance our paddy production, as our current self-sufficiency level (SSL) remains low,” he said.
He said the campaign also serves as a way to support farmers and agro-entrepreneurs in improving their income.
Dominic added that the department works closely not only with individual farmers but also with private agricultural companies to boost future production.
