Mukah to focus on sago and pineapple industries

MUKAH’S economic landscape is set to diversify with a strong focus on sago and pineapple-based industries, paving the way for a more prosperous future for the region.

Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the local community and authorities are looking forward to harnessing the full potential of their natural resources, fostering economic growth, and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

She said Mukah will establish an agro park on 824-hectare piece of land to promote agricultural development and boost economic growth.

“The land, which belongs to the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), has been earmarked to cultivate pineapple, with the aim of replicating the successful pineapple farming model owned by Justino Peter Bagang,” she told reporters when met at the State Legislative building here today.

She said the LCDA’s investment arm will take the lead in engaging with local farmers and potential stakeholders to outline the project’s details, which include the scope, land allocation, and the construction of a processing facility fresh produce and downstream pineapple products.

“This innovative approach includes leasing land to individuals interested in pineapple cultivation. An anchor farmer will oversee the collection and systematic planting of pineapples to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality fruit. The focus will be on cultivating the MD2 variety, which has proven to have a longer shelf life, making it suitable for export markets,

“Although Mukah is not new to agroparks, this marks a significant step forward as the project was announced during the 2024 State Budget speech by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, solidifying its importance.

However, even before the official announcement, locals had already started planting pineapples in the designated area, with over 70 per cent of the land already being use,” she said.

She said efforts to engage with farmers have revealed that more participants are needed to fully realise the potential of the agropark project which promises to provide a substantial source of income for the community and complements Mukah’s existing strength in sago flour production, boasting six mills in Dalat.

“Furthermore, the forthcoming fertiliser factory in collaboration with corporate social responsibility (CSR) Petronas, will utilise water hyacinth to create fertiliser.

“This integrated approach ensures that the waste biomass from pineapple and sago processing can feed into the fertiliser factory, creating a sustainable ecosystem for economic activity,” she said.