KUCHING: The Sarawak government has allocated RM60 million to assist pepper and oil palm farmers who have been affected by various restrictions and constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the fund was to provide fertiliser for them to alleviate their burden.
"The state GPS government is well aware of their problems. Thus, this fund will assist and put them back on firm footing," he said at a meeting with about 40 longhouse chiefs and farmers in his Bukit Saban constituency in Betong today.
At the same time, he said, the policy was to help farmers derive good income from their activities.
Uggah who is also the Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development said the Covid-19 situation had forced many agricultural activities of the government to be put on hold.
"I am sorry for this but it was inevitable for everyone's sake. Now we will gradually resume farming and we want our farmers to be able to generate income from their activities," he said.
He added the Betong division still had a lot of untapped potential given its land size, good soil and the hard work culture of its farmers.
"We have, among others, approved for a Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) here. It will be like the Tarat CPPC in the Serian Division in concept and will focus on durian.
"The government has planned for an agro park here as well. Then there is the Bebuling STOLPORT (short landing and take-off airport) in Spaoh to assist in overseas marketing.
"A food terminal will be part of this airport set up," he said.
Uggah also said efforts would be intensified to introduce modern farming methods like fertigation and hydroponics to the people, besides livestock rearing.
He added the area farmers organisation would be tasked with buying any produce of the farmers.
"It is my hope the farming fraternity here will rise to the occasion."
Political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu and Betong divisional agriculture officer Petrys Kang were among those accompanying Uggah at the function.