I share this quote by our Premier YAB Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the opening of Pesta Benak 2022 last year.
“Sri Aman is identified as the country’s paddy production area. This means we will develop the infrastructure which requires a lot of financial spending. I have negotiated with the federal government to develop the area together with funds from the state government, meaning there will be joint development between the federal government and the state government.”
— Premier Sarawak YAB Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg
Source: The Borneo Post, 10 September 2022 https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/09/10/abg-jo-swak-federal-to-jointly-develop-sri-aman-as-rice-bowl-of-msia/
The Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development (MANRED) have been renamed to Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity & Regional Development (MFICORD).
“In agriculture, we cannot do without community involvement. My plan is to make sure that we transform the subsistence farming or farming community into a more profitable initiative where they will go into ‘agropreneurship’ and move into the agro-industry. But this however, has to be done in stages and my ministry’s vision is to make sure we are able to transform our farming community in order for them to become a ‘high-income family’.”
— Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom
Source: The Borneo Post, 21 September 2022 https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/09/21/mficord-committed-to-support-the-national-agrofood-policy-2-0/
Soon, Simanggang shall host Pesta Benak 2023 will be held beginning 29th September 2023.
How far have Simanggang progress to become another Rice Bowl of Malaysia after our Premier’s visionary opening speech last year?
Our neighbouring country is boosting their rice production and exports amid thread to global supply as published in this news article in The Star. Our farmers need to emulate them to make Simanggang as the next Rice Bowl of Malaysia!
