The participation of youth in agriculture is vital to transforming traditional sectors into high-value, technology-driven industries.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang suggested that the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill, 2026, should include youth agricultural training programmes and young agropreneur schemes.
He added that start-up grants, modern agricultural technology training, and entrepreneurship opportunities for Sarawakian youth would help create a new generation of agropreneurs in the state.
“Agriculture today is no longer about traditional farming alone. It is now about technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, automation, the digital economy, and agro-entrepreneurship.
“If this sector is modernised properly, I believe agriculture can become a new source of wealth for rural communities,” he said when debating in support of the Bill in the State Legislative Assembly today.
While the Bill opens up tremendous opportunities for people in rural and interior areas, he said the Sarawak government should implement a series of transformation initiatives to drive economic growth.
He said small farmers continue to face challenges such as limited market access, lack of capital, insufficient technology, inadequate infrastructure, and low productivity.
He suggested that the state government expand modern irrigation systems, introduce smart farming, promote drone technology, strengthen mechanisation, establish collection centres, and enhance research into high-quality padi seeds.
“No community should be left behind in Sarawak’s development journey,” he added.
