KUCHING: Several high potential food crops will be promoted in a big way to bolster earnings through an export-oriented agro industry.
Modernisation Of Agriculture And Regional Development Minister Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said this is one of his ministry’s focuses to strengthen the development of selected agriculture sectors that have huge potential to increase export earnings.
“This is in line with Sarawak’s aspiration to become a net food exporter by 2030,” he said in his ministerial winding up speech on today.
He added that his ministry has identified four key food crops, namely coconut, durian, pineapple, and banana that have potential for export.
“The demand for these food crops is increasing globally.
“Based on the increasing demand from both traditional and newly emerging industries, the production is still insufficient to accommodate the needs of these main food crops industries.”
In view of the growing domestic and global demand for coconut, durian, pineapple and banana-based products, Rundi said the state aims to revitalise and strengthen the development of these four main crops in Sarawak.
“Comprehensive new strategies and initiatives would be developed to establish the cultivation of these crops to become the main sources of new wealth in Sarawak and to generate higher farmers’ income,” he added.
In order to complement the establishment of food crops production areas, he explained that the state government also emphasises on enhancing an efficient market system for domestic distribution and export of Sarawak’s agriculture products through the establishment of collection, processing and packaging centres (CPPC) and food terminals throughout Sarawak.
“Towards this, in addition to the existing CPPC, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), my ministry is planning to construct six food terminals, each located in Spaoh, Sarikei, Sebangan, Lachau, Lundu and Kapit.
“The Food Terminal is a designated food trading hub for collection and wholesale of agricultural products. The terminal will be leased to a private company to operate and manage the wholesalers that purchase agricultural produce from the farmers within the catchment areas,” he noted.
Source: https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/four-crops-to-drive-agro-food-revenue-potential
