Dr Rundi delivering his winding-up speech for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today. - Picture by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The State Planning Authority (SPA) has approved applications for two locations for the Sarawak Agrotechnology Park (SARTECH) development project in the state.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said the two approved locations involve areas in Semenggok, Kuching Division and Tarat in Serian Division.
For SARTECH Tarat, he said, the project will be tendered by the end of this month and construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
"The scope of work includes the construction of a production plot with water and electricity supply connections, upgrading of internal roads and a drainage system.
"Construction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027," he said when delivering his ministry's winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here, today.
Meanwhile, for SARTECH Semenggok, Dr Rundi said, the land clearing work is expected to be tendered by the end of this year.
"At the same time, the Sarawak Department of Agriculture (DOA) is in the process of recruiting new participants for commercial agricultural plots," he said.
To strengthen capabilities in research and development (R&D) as well as the entire agro sector industry, Dr Rundi said his ministry proposed to use 10 hectares of land in the SARTECH Semenggok area to develop an integrated facility known as the SARTECH Complex (Wisma SARTECH).
According to him, the complex will be the reference and control centre for Sarawak's agro industry in the future.
"This complex will also house all departments and agencies under my ministry, including the School of Veterinary Medicine and an Animal Hospital.
"It will be a catalyst for change for the agro-industry," he said.
On aquaculture, Dr Rundi said it remained an important sub-sector in Sarawak's economy and had contributed 7,773 metric tonnes of fish and prawns worth RM128.56 million in 2023.
"This is a 15 per cent increase in value compared to the previous year," he said.
He also said the Semariang Batu Aquaculture Park, which covers an area of 123 hectares, aims to be a research and commercial production centre for brackish water fish and prawn seeds.
"The first phase of the park involves upgrading existing fish hatchery facilities to produce seedlings of species such as tilapia, sea bass and Vannamei prawns.
"This hatchery is expected to produce 4.0 million seedlings, which is double the current production.
"This project is expected to generate a minimum income of RM2.0 million per year through the sale of the seedlings," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Rundi informed that the Sarawak State Farmers' Organisation (PPNS) is also venturing into shrimp farming through a joint venture initiative at the Aquaculture Industry Zone (ZIA) in Rambungan.
"As of October 2024, a total of 39 metric tonnes of shrimp have been harvested with a value of RM663,000.
"This joint venture company is currently expanding its production area to cover approximately 134 hectares of water surface and is targeted to be completed by 2027.
"When fully operational, it is expected to produce 800 metric tonnes of shrimp with a total value of RM15 million per year," he explained.
