| Daniel Lim |
OFFICIALS hope the new agriculture pilot project at Merangking will pave the way for the country to export its harvest.
Hirman bin Haji Abu, Head of the Crop Industry Division, Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism said the planting of non-seasonal fruits was discussed earlier under the pilot project.
“This means that we aim to produce yield from the crops as quick as possible. We have set a target for the pilot project to be achieved within the next five years,” he said.
The ground-breaking cere-mony for the new field of the agriculture project was held yesterday.
The 50 acre plot of land dedicated to the development of agriculture along Jalan Singap, Merangking, Belait District, is operated by Asia Enterprise (AE).
This plot of land in Merangking is the first of its kind in the Belait district where over more than 15 fruits including longan, betik, bananas and avocado among others will be planted.
Fifty to 70 per cent of the workforce for this field will comprise locals. This will provide an initiative to provide employment for villages in Mukim Bukit Sawat, Mukim Sukang and Mukim Melilas Ulu Belait.
Asia Enterprise Managing Director Chai Yun Fatt present at the event, welcomed the guest of honour, YB Awang Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, Penghulu of Mukim Liang who is also a member of the Legislative Council. YB Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, Village Head of Kampong Labi 1 and a member of the Legislative Council was also present.
The opening ceremony was to commemorate the clearing and the start of a new plantation field in Merangking by Asia Enterprise. This new plantation field was granted by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
Hirman said around 80 to 90 per cent of the harvest will most like be exported to aid the country’s economy in terms of agriculture.
YB Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, Penghulu of Mukim Liang who is also a member of the Legislative Council receiving a gift from Chai Yun Fatt, Asia Enterprise Managing Director. – DANIEL LIM
“The harvest will be sent Singapore and China,” he said.
Hirman added, “When we do offer plots of land to a company like Asia Enterprise, the productivity per hectare in relation to planting and harvesting must meet expectations. This is why we promote the use of non-seasonal fruits as part of our incentive to produce high yield.
“The use of technologies to accelerate the growth and yield of the harvest is also encouraged. These factors are taken into consideration with regard to any company willing to pick up the agriculture trade.” He said while Brunei has not been in the forefront in terms of exporting of harvest, it is hoped that the coming five years will produce products that can be exported through a programme launched at Merangking.
“This will hopefully become a role model for future program-mes,” Hirman said.
The event started around 9am with the arrival of the guest of honour followed by a brief speech by the Managing Director of Asia Enterprise who expressed his gratitude to the guest of honour and other participants.
YB Haji Abdul Hamid praised Asia Enterprise for promoting and advancing agriculture in the Belait District as well as providing the work opportunity for the locals.
Fruits cultivated in Brunei were given as gifts to the guest of honour.
The guest of honour and the attendees viewed a small portion of the land being cleared to cultivate fruit. The guest of honour also cleared some small trees in the plot of land.
The clearing of the land will take around two months. The planting of fruits will proceed as the land is cleared and ploughed.
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