Agro Research Lab Sebuyau launched to boost pandan coconut cultivation

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Nov 2): The Agro Research Lab Sebuyau, to focus on pandan coconut cultivation, has been launched today at Kampung Arus in Sebangan near here.

Officially inaugurated by Minister of Public Utilities and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, the initial phase of the lab project covers a 3.4-hectare plot, where 560 pandan coconut trees will be planted.

According to Julaihi, this plot forms part of the 110 hectares allocated for the project this year.

The plantation will use Tacunan and Mataq coconut varieties, he said on his Facebook page.

Agro Research Lab Sebuyau, a brainchild of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, aims to advance coconut replanting efforts across the region, explained Julaihi, who is Sebuyau assemblyman.

The lab’s working committee, chaired by Julaihi, includes the Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang who would be in charge of Technical Management, and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit who will oversee research activities.

Julaihi added that ten hectares of the approved land would be dedicated specifically to research.

For this first phase, the Sarawak government has allocated RM35 million to support infrastructure, coconut seedlings, fertilizers, buildings, and research activities led by Unimas.

He said several other areas in Sebuyau have also been identified for similar purposes so that one day the whole of Sebuyau and surrounding areas will become a pandan coconut zone.

Among those present at the launch were Mohamad Irwan, Prof Ahmad Hata, Samarahan Agriculture Officer Hamzah Abu Bakar, State Economic Planning Unit senior officer Wan Mohd Sufian Wan Abd Wahab, and Sebuyau District Officer Ayuradiman Bujang.