Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. (file photo)

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By DayakDaily Team

BETONG, July 15: A longhouse in Engkerbai here has achieved RM53,000 in sales in just one ginger planting cycle using fertigation.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they are now preparing for the second planting cycle.

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He said entrepreneurs in Betong are also growing rock melons in six greenhouses at Simpang Layar.

“We are also encouraging over 100 families to rear free-range chicken. Our proposed new programmes are commercial crawfish rearing and cattle breeding.

“I would like to remind the people involved that while the government can only provide advisory and financial support, the onus is on them to make a success of their undertakings.

“So they must stay resilient and committed,” he said in a statement today, in which he also expressed his pride that farmers in Betong are beginning to embrace new farming methods such as hydroponics and fertigation to increase their yields.

Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, said the Sarawak government has set aside RM60 million for the development of various agriculture activities in his constituency.

He said it is currently the government’s top priority to increase the people’s income through modern agriculture and other economic activities.

Other initiatives include the ongoing construction of the RM296 million Bebuling Bebuling short-take-off and landing airport (STOLport), RM17 million Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) near the STOLport, and the creation of two agroparks at Bebuling and Lubok Tamang. — DayakDaily