S’wak’s regional development agencies conduct study visits to Penang, Kedah

KUCHING (July 14): The Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) through Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) has recently taken part in an educational visit to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang.

The purpose of the two-day visit was to gain insights into USM’s community project sites in Penang and Baling, Kedah and to enhance knowledge sharing for the benefits of the local rural communities.

The participants were introduced to freshwater fish farming and breeding, as well as on the cultivation of fig from tissue culture and the polybag rice planting project. They also visited the seaweed and lobster farming project in Langkawi, Kedah.

Recoda in a statement said these projects have the potential to enhance local food security, provide a sustainable source of income for entrepreneurs, and boost the local economy.

Hosted by the Division of Industry and Community Network (BJIM), the visit also aimed to explore potential collaborations between Recoda, Urda and USM.

This came following USM’s Innovation for Community (INNO4C) study visit to ‘Madu Kelulut Smart Farming Project’ here the previous month.

Led by Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan, the delegation comprised seven others from the Katibas and Bukit Goram constituencies, alongside Recoda’s head of Investment and Socio-economic Development Khairina Dawek.

Lidam, who is Urda’s Industry and Entrepreneur Development Sub-Committee chairman, said the visit which focused on stingless bee, freshwater fish, prawn, and lobster farming was to further develop what had already been available in Sarawak and to identify niche markets for commercialisation.

“This is important to strengthen and solidify the current initiatives rather than attempting to take on too many new projects,” he explained.

“One of our targets is the elevation of wage growth among projects’ participants, of which it is currently below the minimum wage,” he said.

Through this study visit and subsequent support from the state government, Lidam said Urda projected a boost of at least 30 per cent in income growth and an improved quality of life for the local communities.

Meanwhile, Economic Development Research Fellow with USM, Syed Yusof Syed Kechik, reiterated USM’s ongoing support for the initiatives by Sarawak’s regional development agencies.

A participating entrepreneur from Koperasi Usahawan Bumiputera Kapit, Douglas Pungga Lawang, shared his views on USM’s successful projects which he believed could be implemented in Kapit.

Such projects, he said, would be a motivation for the rural dwellers to leave their comfort zones and venture into new business opportunities.