KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is on a quest to build agro parks focusing on agricultural production in line with its target to be a food exporter by 2030, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg says.
The Sarawak Premier said the state plans to open up 405ha to build the agro parks in various places, including in the Bintulu and Kuching regions that were near ports to ensure an export-oriented production.
He said Malaysia was a country rich with land but it should be developed professionally with the latest technology to minimise food imports.
The Sarawak government, he said, has outlined measures to transform the agricultural sector to move the sector to the next level and strengthen Malaysia in terms of food security.
Abang Johari added that the agro parks – which are similar to industrial parks – would be equipped with the latest digital infrastructure and subdivided with anchor companies.
“Anchor companies will help small producers by acting as wholesalers and moving things directly to the market.
“When you produce digitally, you can produce more efficiently because you don’t need labour, just a common centre and devices that are connected to your farm.
“This is also what the Federal Government is moving towards, which is digital production, not only in agriculture but across all sectors,” he said.
With this, Abang Johari said, the Federal Government has allocated RM2bil to Sarawak to roll out 5G infrastructures, adding that Sarawak would also be investing in logistics by procuring two cargo planes to transport food for export, particularly to Singapore as the state was also exporting tilapia fish to the republic daily.
He added that Sarawak was also setting up a satellite campus to research increasing agriculture production.
“When we talk about food security, you need to have very strong research and development,” he said.
“In Japan, they have three seasons to produce rice. Maybe Malaysia can have two that will be based on technology and human intellect.”
Sarawak was also interested in improving the horticulture sector as the Bornean rainforest was rich in biodiversity, said Abang Johari as he launched the Kenyalang Biris Rice and Carus Creamy White Pepper along with the soft launch of Sarawak Agrofest 2022 and Nyamai Sarawak Gastronomy Festival 2022 at the LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre here.
