8 MAY 2024
KUCHING: The state government through the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak are urged to revive the 'Daro Paddy Scheme' in Nangar in the Daro area.
Safiee Ahmad (GPS-Daro) said Daro is an area with great potential for development, especially in rice cultivation and food-based agricultural products.
"One of the areas identified since 1975 has been developed for rice cultivation known as the 'Daro Paddy Scheme' in Nangar, where basic infrastructure involving irrigation and drainage systems and access roads has been built by the Sarawak Irrigation and Drainage Department.
"However, this area seems to have been neglected for a long time due to insufficient maintenance of the scheme, especially the irrigation and drainage system by the relevant department, including the lack of interest from the younger generation to be involved in this sector.
"In line with the policy and initiatives of the government to make Sarawak a major rice producer in our country, I would like to propose to the government through the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak to revive this area, which covers 3,256 hectares, as a rice production center in Sarawak," he said.
He said this during a discussion on the speech of the Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jafaar at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
According to Safiee, a more proactive, creative, and earnest effort in implementing such agricultural projects is needed so that rural people can commercialize the agricultural sector as an economic source, not just for subsistence.
He said the agricultural sector is an area that can develop the socio-economy of rural communities.
"I sincerely hope that the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak and the Department of Agriculture Sarawak can ensure that those involved in the agricultural sector can develop it in a modern and commercial manner," he said.
In addition, Safiee hoped that the Nanga Singat agricultural station in Sungai Lengan, which was newly built with a value of nearly RM4.5 million and has been operational since March 1, 2023, can be strengthened in its function and role.
He said it should become a center for agricultural transformation for rural or coastal areas.
"In this regard, skilled staff with sufficient numbers in the field of agriculture should be permanently stationed at the station.
"This will fully utilize all the facilities provided at the station to enhance knowledge and skills among farmers," he said.
In this regard, he also appealed to the Department of Agriculture Sarawak to reactivate the Nanga Semah Agricultural Station, which has long been inactive, as the agricultural station was once very beneficial and successful in helping to develop the agricultural sector in the area.
Safiee said most farmers have expressed this request to him since the agricultural station ceased operations.
"It is very difficult for farmers to deal with and obtain advisory services as they have to spend more to access services at the Daro District Agriculture Office, which is quite far from their villages and longhouses," he emphasized.
