| Azaraimy HH |
THE Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) held a special religious prayer (Maghrib prayer and recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Tahlil) in conjunction with the Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen Day at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah last night in Kg Kiarong.
The ‘Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen’s Day’ was declared by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam during the official opening ceremony of the Agriculture and Agrifood Expo 2009 at the then named, Agrotechnology Park in Kg Tungku.
With the declaration, the Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen’s Day is celebrated each year on November 1, in appreciation of the work of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen in producing food for the nation.
Present last night at event was Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. Also present were senior officers from MPRT, including the permanent secretary, deputy permanent secretary, heads of departments as well as farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen.
The programme included a mass Maghrib prayer, followed with recitations of Surah Yaasiin, Tahlil and a Doa Kesyukuran, which ended with a mass Isyak prayer.
The event also saw a presentation of Brunei GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certificate to Syarikat EcoNadi Agrobiz; a company that has successfully fulfilled the Brunei GAP Criteria and received accreditation from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood in May 2016.
Syarikat EcoNadi Agrobiz is located at Kg Bukit Udal and Kg Bangunggos, Mukim Tanjong Maya in the Tutong District, managed by Haji Mohd Ayub bin Suhaili and Khairuddin bin Mohamad since April 2014. The company utilises the Fertigasi farming system on a 0.6 hectare land for various vegetable production and the main focus of the company is production of chili for the domestic market.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism handing over Brunei GAP certificate to Syarikat EcoNadi Agrobiz. – AZARAIMY HH
Under the Brunei GAP programme, farmers follow a more systematic farming system, placing greater importance on the correct and safe use of chemicals, and a harvesting and post-harvesting system that focuses more on food safety and high-quality products.
The effort made by the company received high appreciation from the Department Agricultural and Agrifood, which hoped that the effort will be an example for others to follow the Brunei GAP programme.
The Brunei GAP not only enhances the farming system but also provides good opportunity to market products beyond the domestic market. The practices done in the Brunei GAP programme are also practiced in other Asean member countries to facilitate an easier transition from selling at local markets to the regional market.
The period of Brunei GAP certification given to Syarikat EcoNadi AgroBiz is three years with continuous monitoring from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood to ensure the GAP practice is always followed and enhanced from time to time.
Another company Syarikat Ladang Tunas Harapan received its Brunei GAP for the second time on December 7, 2015 for the production of vegetables at its farms at Ladang Si Bongkok, Kg Masin.
Khairuddin talked with the Bulletin about GAP practices including the systematic use and storing of fertilisers and pesticides.
He added that the Fertigasi methods enhance harvest as the chili is not planted directly on the land but through bags, where watering and fertilising are done simultaneously.
He said the procedure; thas enabled the company to harvest some 998kg of chili in six months, which was very satisfactory.
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