The State Government has approved an allocation of RM80 million to implement various programmes to modernise and commercialise the agriculture sector.
Deputy Chief Minister YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said this during his winding up speech at the 1st Meeting of the 2nd Term of the 18th State Legislative Assembly on 22nd May.
Of the allocated RM80 million, RM20 million will be spent on constructing 51 farm infrastructure projects expected to benefit 3,900 farm families.
Another RM8 million is allotted for the establishment of four Collection, Processing and Packaging Centres (CPPC), namely Tarat Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) Plant, Layar Integrated Agriculture Station, and CPPC centres in Kapit and Sibu.
RM37 million will be set aside for crop development to assist smallholders in establishing income-generating projects including oil palm, sago, coconut, pepper, fruits, Permanent Food Production Zone (TKPM) and Agriculture Diversification Programme that will enhance the lives of 6,454 farm families.
The remaining RM15 million is allocated for livestock development, where RM13 million is designated for cattle industry development and RM2 million for swiftlet projects.
YB Datuk Amar Douglas assured that his Ministry through the Department of Agriculture and Department of Veterinary Services will be implementing the approved programmes and projects as part of efforts to support the hardcore poor mostly living in the rural areas of Sarawak.
