| Faza Suraj |
FARMERS have been urged to adopt efficient methods to increase their yields and prevent wastage of land.
The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong urged farmers to find the agricultural methods that best suit the local environment.
He made the call on Wednesday during his working visit to the Belait District where he toured a golden melon farm run by Maaz Hanan Zulaikha Enterprise at Kg Pandan ‘B’ in Kuala Belait as well as Brugoat Farming and Trading Sdn Bhd which operates a 2.1 hectare-site farm that breeds Boer Goats and Dorper Sheep.
“We would like to see more ‘vertical’ farming or other types of farming that utilise technologies to produce a high-yield in a small area,” he said.
He said unlike Malaysia and Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam does not have a lot of land and the country also has the responsibility to preserve 70 per cent of its land as forests.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism harvesting a golden melon. – PHOTOS: FAZA SURAJ
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong taking a look at the Boer Goats
In addition, Brunei’s land is utilised for housing, development, education and agriculture. “We need to be able to be efficient in our land use,” he said.
“Don’t just stick to the traditional ways (of farming) but try to tap into technologies which can produce high yielding crop.”
He said the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood is ready to provide local farmers with help, including technical aspects, to adopt efficient agricultural practices.
He said his ministry is also ready to help farmers expand their operations to meet not only domestic demands but also export markets, including finding for them partners from other countries.
“Just approach us. We are also offering land at Bio-Innovative Corridor in Kg Tungku.”
The minister said farmers must be serious in their venture after they have been provided with training and facilities by the government.
“We can’t afford to give land to people (farmers) who don’t finish what they have started,” he said.
“We give them land but they give it to someone else and charge them for rent. That’s not right.”
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