Sarawak to pilot golden melon farm in Kuala Baram’s new smart township featuring urban farming

Abang Johari (fifth left) discussing something with Ahmad Farhan (third right) when attending COSAFS 2024 in Bintulu on July 12, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By Karen Bong

BINTULU, July 12: A golden melon farm will be introduced on a 30-acre plot within a new smart township to be developed in Kuala Baram of Miri.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted that the smart township, incorporating the urban farming concept, will span over 300 acres, with 30 acres designated for smart farming.

“There, we are piloting a golden melon farm using advanced technology, including drones, tablets and a command centre.

“As you know, this golden melon cost about RM100 each in Japan. I believe the production cost in Sarawak may be less. If we can produce higher volumes, it could provide extra income for rural agripreneurs,” he said when addressing the closing ceremony of the Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS) 2024 at a hotel in Bintulu, which was streamed live via Ukas Channel today.

The smart township initiative, which he announced following a site visit in Kuala Baram, Miri yesterday (June 11), will be a collaborative effort between the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) and Simfoni Strategies Sdn Bhd.

Inspired by successful models in Japan and Taiwan, the initiative aims to integrate urban living with cutting-edge agricultural practices, setting a new standard in residential development.

Abang Johari also mentioned that homes within the township will feature gardens, allowing residents to engage in smart farming and produce high-value fruits for local and international markets.

If successful, he wants this approach to be extended to rural satellite towns where affordable housing is being developed to create additional income opportunities for lower-income groups.

“This innovative approach will transform the rural community, especially enhance household incomes.

“This is the way forward for Sarawak as part of the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which, while we go for oil and gas and downstream minerals and other sectors including services, agriculture is also part and parcel of our macroeconomic policy,” he added.

Abang Johari hopes these innovative initiatives will transform Sarawak’s economic landscape and contribute to sustainability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Mficord Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Deputy Minister of Food Industry Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, UPM Board of Directors chairman Prof Emeritus Dato Dr Ibrahim Komoo and UPM vice chancellor Dato Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah. — DayakDaily