| Azaraimy HH |
BRAVING occasional drizzle, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism trudged through the undulated terrain and negotiated the bushy plains of Batang Mitus in Tutong to have a close look at the various farms that stretch across the area.
“It is the right time for people to take up agriculture as a lucrative business opportunity. It is one of the most effective ways to diversify the economy to reduce the nation’s heavy reliance on oil and gas and to ensure food security, food self sufficiency and employment,” Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong told the Sunday Bulletin as he stopped for some fresh air during the trail.
The visit was part of the minister’s initiative to meet farmers in the country to understand their problems and enlighten them of the importance of producing high-priced and highly demanded agriculture produce that can improve their earnings and sustainability.
The minister and his delegation visited poultry, livestock, fruits and vegetable farms located in Batang Mitus that included the Food Jungle Farm Sdn Bhd, Ladang Buah Syarikat Usaha Bersama Maju, Ternakan Batang Mitus Farm Station and Ladang Sayur Superb Agricultural Farm.
Agricultural activities at the Food Jungle Sdn Bhd include ‘free range’ chicken farming, making compost using Permaculture technique, construction of symbiotic environment for aquaponic organic vegetable farming, research on papaya and banana using permaculture technique.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong learns about the operations at The Food Jungle Sdn Bhd. – PHOTOS: AZARAIMY HH
The minister is briefed at the Superb Agricultural Farm
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali and his delegation in a group photo with farmers at Ladang Buah Syarikat Usaha Bersama Maju
Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centred on simulating or directly utilising the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems.
At the farm, the Sunday Bulletin learnt about the advantage of free range chicken farming. Unlike conventional caged chicken farming, the chicken at the farm are left to roam around in a natural environment.
The farm began its operation in August last year under the ‘Tropica Permaculture Pilot Project’ and currently employs seven locals on the five-hectare site.
Ladang Buah Syarikat Usaha Bersama Maju located in Batang Mitus produces local fruits. The farm sits on a six-hectare land and began it operation in July 2000. It has five employees comprising two locals and three foreigners, and its products are marketed at a flea market.
The production at Ladang Buah Syarikat Usaha Bersama Maju has seen a steady increase since 2014 when it produced 79,110 kilogrammes of fruits worth $59,115 which rose to 92,665 kilogrammes worth $69,100 in 2015, and 104,384.80 kilogrammes worth $141,541 in 2016.
The Ternakan Batang Mitus Farm Station has a total of 570.9 hectares of land located in Kampong Batang Mitus. A total of 53 hectare has been developed for livestock.
The farm began operation in 1982 under Brunei Shell and Department of Agriculture and Agrifood. It rears buffalos and deer.
Today, 15 officers and staff from the Livestock and Veterinary Services are employed at the station.
Located in Kampong Kiudang, the Superb Agricultural Farm began its operation in 1983 on a 4.80 hectare land site.
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