APPROPRIATE policies, clear guidelines and comprehensive technical support must be provided to ensure the proposed grain corn cultivation project in Sungai Tunoh can be successfully realised as a sustainable source of livestock feed, said Nicholas Kudi Jantai.
The Baleh assemblyman said the project has strong potential to strengthen the livestock industry in Sarawak while reducing dependence on imported animal feed, which continues to contribute to rising production costs among local breeders.
“The Sungai Tunoh area is considered highly potential and suitable for the development of grain corn cultivation as a source of livestock feed.
“This proposed grain corn development should be given serious attention as it is capable of strengthening the livestock industry while reducing dependence on imported animal feed from overseas,” he said.
He said this in his debate speech on the motion of appreciation to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s address at the DUN Sitting today.
Kudi added that increasing local grain corn production would not only support the agro-food sector but also create new economic opportunities for rural communities through large-scale commercial agriculture activities.
“Therefore, it is hoped that the government and relevant agencies will provide appropriate policies, guidelines and technical support to ensure that this project can be realised for the benefit of the people and the economic development of the state,” he said.
At the same time, he also called for a more inclusive approach in the distribution of fertiliser and livestock feed assistance.
He said aid should not be channelled solely through farmers’ associations, as many active farmers and livestock breeders in rural areas are not formally registered with such bodies.
“A more open and transparent distribution system is needed to ensure deserving farmers and breeders are not left out from receiving assistance.
“At the same time, a more effective monitoring and coordination system should also be established to ensure that the assistance provided is genuinely utilised to improve agricultural and livestock production.
“This measure is crucial to encourage more rural residents to actively participate in the agro-food sector, thereby helping to increase local food production and strengthen Sarawak’s food security agenda,” said Kudi.
