KUCHING: Research and development (R&D) in the food production, rice, fruits and fishery products including prawns should be given emphasis and priority.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said he is confident that the agriculture industry will make a significant contribution to the growth of Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (KNDK) by 2026 and 2027.

According to him, it will indirectly open up new opportunities for downstream jobs in the country. "Sarawak has the potential to be an important food producer in the market with an emphasis on product quality.

"Preference as a quality food producer will help strengthen Sarawak's position in the international arena," he said. He said this while officiating the Ngiling Bidai Council of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Sarawak (M-FICORD) at the residence of his Minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, here on Saturday.

In the same speech, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari also intends for Sarawak to play an important role in producing quality food to overcome the challenges of lacking quality food in the future. He said, according to expert forecasts, the global population is expected to increase from about 7 billion people today to about 10 billion by 2050.

"In order to achieve this, we need many experts in the field including dietitians, food experts and those who are well versed in downstream food activities.

"The Sarawak government has provided financial support to Universiti Putra Bintulu to conduct research and explore new technologies in the food sector," he added. Earlier, the arrival of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang was warmly welcomed by Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi and his wife, Datin Sri Loreta Sawot with the whole family including M-FICORD staff and invitees.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dato Sri Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of National Unity Aaron Ago Commerce, Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Julyhi Narawi, Minister of Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.

Also present were M-FICORD Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Martin Ben, Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Malcom Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development and Ports Dato Majang Renggi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier Department (Bumiputra Law and Customs) Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Pakan State Assemblyman, Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Satok Assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki and Tebedu Assemblyman Simon Sinang Bada.

The celebration was also boosted by the performance of ngajat dance and the accompaniment of iban music from the dancers of Yayasan Budaya Dayak (DCF) before the Sarawak Premier and his wife moved into the foyer of the house for a mass photo session with the honorary dif-dif and subsequently with Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi's family as a token of remembrance.

Immediately after that, a banquet began where all the invitees were invited to dine while being entertained with songs in conjunction with Gawai Day from the band of singers and invited musicians.

Date of Input: 03/07/2023 | Updated: 04/03/2024 | lanz