KUCHING: Farmers in Pantai Damai have been encouraged to embrace modern technology, including drones, to improve efficiency and productivity in their agricultural activities.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, said technology could help ease agricultural work, particularly in fertiliser spraying and crop management.
“We encourage farmers to explore the use of modern technology, including drones, to improve efficiency in their agricultural activities.
“This is also in line with the Sarawak Government’s aspiration to modernise the agriculture sector and encourage more people to venture into the field,” he was quoted as saying in a report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
He said this during the presentation of assistance under the Agricultural Facilitation Fund (AFF) programme at Dewan Sinaran, Kampung Sungai Lumut here today.
Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Pantai Damai assemblyman, said the area had considerable potential for further agricultural development.
“There is potential for various agricultural activities here, including the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and pandan coconuts. Padi cultivation can also be explored in Pantai Damai in the future,” he said.
A total of 28 farmers and inland fishery operators from Kampung Sungai Lumut, Kampung Sungai Batu and Kampung Salak received RM81,000 in assistance under the programme.
Of the total, RM75,000 was allocated to 25 farmers, while another RM6,000 was allocated to three inland fishery operators.
The assistance included grass cutters, battery-powered sprayers, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs, while the fishery operators received feed for fish and prawn farming.
Dr Abdul Rahman said the AFF programme was among the Sarawak Government’s initiatives through the Agriculture Department to improve agricultural productivity.
“The assistance enables farmers to obtain the equipment and inputs they need to further develop their activities,” he said.
The latest distribution was the second AFF assistance programme held in Pantai Damai this year, following the first in May which benefited 142 recipients from 13 villages.
Also present was Assistant Agriculture Officer, Shafizan Lasai, representing the Kuching divisional agriculture officer.
