KAPIT: Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan has urged the predominantly farming community in the Song district to commercialise their agricultural activities.
He said residents in the district should switch to modern agriculture by exploring downstream activities.
“The poverty rate in Song is 60%. We have no other choice but to venture into business to reduce this rate,” he said in a Bernama report.
Lidam was speaking at the launch of the Jum Regista Bisnes programme by Sarawak International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, which was represented by the ministry adviser for small and medium enterprises, Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, in Song yesterday.
According to Lidam, adopting modern farming methods would also help farmers in Song save time and energy.
Song is about 500km from Kuching by road.
“The existing assistance provided by the government will be of no help if farmers do not embrace new agricultural methods,” he said.
A total of 200 participants attended the programme, which was aimed at helping unlicensed entrepreneurs, vendors and business owners in Song to register their businesses.
