AS BRUNEI Darussalam continues its endeavours towards a more stable and competitive economy, diversification efforts in the non-oil and gas industries are making steady progress. One of the industries given focus is the agricultural sector, where the emphasis is placed to ensure continuous growth and increase in output every year. Data in 2015 indicated that the agricultural sector contributed 0.4 per cent to Brunei’s Gross Domestic Product. While the figure may not be significant, the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries gross output saw a steady growth of 6.5 per cent on average annually from 2010 to 2015. The promising trend calls for a concerted effort in further boosting this industry.
In providing more cohesive efforts to promote the agricultural sector, it is pertinent that our youths are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills in the field. A number of schools in Brunei Darussalam conduct agricultural programmes which not only aim to develop the relevant agricultural skills but also to nurture economic competencies, including potential ways for cost-effective agricultural methods.
One of the schools offering the agricultural programme is Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School, in Birau, Tutong. It is also the first school to practise fertigation system for chili planting in Brunei Darussalam. The Fertigation System Engineering Exploration is a special programme for students in the Pre-Vocational Programme. It focusses on fertigation, a cultivation method where plants are fertilised through irrigation system. It is an alternative to the traditional (conventional) methods and aimed primarily at overcoming soil problems such as dead soil, infertility, acidity, rocky terrain, contamination and so forth.
To further enhance agricultural skills and approach in its programme, the school has also embarked on a partnership with the Eco Nadi Agrobiz Company to conduct the Modern Agriculture Project using fertigation system method funded through the 2015-2016 Special Provision of Pre-Vocational Programme. With the aim of exploring potential alternatives in agricultural methods (besides traditional techniques), the project equips pre-vocational graduates with basic competencies in agriculture, financial management and marketing to enable them to generate an independent source of income.
Through this project, students went for a study tour to the Eco Nadi Agrobiz Company farm located in Kampong Bukit Udal, Tutong. The visit provides them the opportunity to listen to talks, engage in discussion sessions and follow a demonstration on the implementation of Fertigation System Techniques.
The teaching capacity at the school has also been strengthened through training given by the partner company. This has led to a greater knowledge and skills enhancement in fertigation. Jones bin Luar, the Home Room teacher at the school who attended the course shared, “By taking the course, I have come to know more about what the Fertigation System Technique is. In addition, I also learnt how to install plumbing for agriculture, how to use fertilisers properly, how to control diseases that can damage chili plants, and how to monitor crops from chili to fruits.”
By participating in the project, the students at the school can learn basic skills in agriculture and management such as fertilising, treating, managing finances and marketing garden output. Zahiruddin bin Anuar, a student-participant in the project shared his experience, “We were given the responsibility to handle the fertigation system such as measuring steel, keeping/limiting time, sowing seeds and others. Additionally, we were also taught to weigh and pack chilies for sale and were offered a cash outflow for the next capital cycle.” Muhammad Jalaluddin bin Jali, another student, also shared his thoughts on the project, “We became interested (in fertigation) after we visited the farm. Apart from watching a demonstration by the partner company’s manager, Jones also helped and guided us on how to manage the system from planting to marketing chilies. I hope to be able to continue using the fertigation system method because it is not labour-intensive.”
The project has its own challenges in terms of monitoring the crop and ensuring that water and fertiliser resources are sufficient daily. The school’s Home Room teacher also acknowledged the need to learn more about Fertigation System Techniques from experienced people, and impart his learning to pre-vocational students in stages, taking into account the ability of the students to understand the fertigation system in greater detail and supervising students when using agricultural tools and maintaining hygiene.
The programme and project at the school have led to students acquiring the required skills relevant to the agriculture sector, particularly since the fertigation system method is also practised in many agricultural companies in Brunei Darussalam. With the positive impact that has been reaped so far, the project is expected to continue especially in widening opportunity for pre-vocational students to be self-employed and to generate income upon graduating. Jones shared that the school, through their ‘Home-Room’ teachers and Eco Nadi Agrobiz Company, will continue to work together to assess the ability of students to farm using the fertigation system, should there be parties willing to help pre-vocational students in the area.
With training programmes and joint-venture initiatives in educational institutions such as in Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Secondary School, school leavers can be better equipped with relevant skills useful in the agriculture sector. – Courtesy of Ministry of Education