DALAT: The area here has the potential to become a key hub for Sarawak’s sago industry through technology, innovation and the development of higher value products.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development and Dalat assemblywoman Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said Dalat held a strategic position in the state’s sago industry due to its extensive sago cultivation area.
“Dalat has approximately 14,324 hectares of sago plantations, or about 50 per cent of the total sago cultivation area in Sarawak, while Mukah Division accounts for approximately 23,397 hectares.
“This highlights Dalat’s strategic importance in the development of Sarawak’s sago industry.
“Therefore, the area needs to be further strengthened through technology, innovation and value-added product development to transform the sago industry into one that is more modern, competitive and sustainable,” she said at the opening ceremony of the M-FICORD Mini Agrofest, officiated by Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at the Dalat Waterfront on Friday (Aug 21).
Fatimah hoped construction of the Sarawak Sago Industry Development Complex (KPISS) in Dalat could be expedited as a one-stop centre and catalyst for transforming the sago industry.
She said KPISS was proposed to cover both upstream and downstream development of the sago industry, including the use of technology and mechanisation, capacity building for smallholders, research and development, innovation, technology transfer, packaging, branding and commercialisation of sago products.
Touching on the Mini Agrofest, she said the programme served as an important platform to bring the agro sector closer to the community while showcasing the diversity of products, agricultural produce, innovations and technologies, as well as the potential of Sarawak’s food and commodity industries.
“I also hope the Mini Agrofest will not remain merely an exhibition and sales event, but instead become a catalyst for entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs to expand their enterprises and businesses.
“More importantly, we want Sarawak’s agricultural products and produce to have higher added value, penetrate wider markets, and ultimately provide better returns to producers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah said the younger generation should continue to be encouraged to venture into the agro sector as an industry with a promising future, particularly through the adoption of technology, innovation and more modern business approaches.
