The agriculture sector remains as one of the key sectors in Sarawak.
This is evident as most of the local communities relies heavily on agriculture to provide livelihood, income and employment for themselves and their families.
In the effort to strengthen the agriculture sector in Sarawak, the Government through the Ministry of Modernization, Native Land and Regional Development (MANRED) Sarawak prioritise in engaging and working closely with the local communities.
In reaching out to the local communities, it is mostly done through the implementation of outreach programs, corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects as well as assistance programs.
Outreach programs:
| Program | Description |
| Land Development Dialogue & Bumiputera Customary Rights (HAB) | * Provide information on procedures, procedures and processes of HAB land development * Provide information on various programs or projects provided and promoted by the Government for the development of Bumiputera Customary Rights Land; and * Create opportunities for the community to establish close ties and form cooperation networks with relevant Ministries/ Departments/ Government Agencies. |
| Field Dialogue on Bumiputera Customary Rights (HAB) Land Development Project | * Follow -up dialogue to the Bumiputera Customary Rights (HAB) Agriculture & Land Development Dialogue * Aims to obtain verification from the landowners themselves regarding the application to develop HAB land * Ensure that there are no deceit or frauds behind the application that has been sent to MANRED |
| Agriculture Community Outreach Program (AgriCOP) | * Aims to reach out to the farming community, by providing the latest information on policies, strategies and programs of the agricultural sector, especially related to new technologies and areas of government focus. * An allocation of RM9.33 million to conduct 428 courses under AgriCOP, where 377 (88%) courses were implemented and has benefited approximately 35,000 participants. |
| Agricultural Development Program | * 143 training courses covering topics such as food crops, fisheries and downstream product processing where more than 5,000 participants have benefited from the implementation of these courses. |
| Rabies Disease Awareness Talk Program | * Rabies awareness talks have been held in all divisions, districts and areas throughout Sarawak since 2017. |
| African Swine Fever (ASF) Disease Awareness Talk Program | * Talks on ASF have been conducted starting in Limbang Division since March 2021. |
Among the CSR projects that has been implemented by MANRED includes the allocation of RM1.5 million to 28 Area Farmers’ Organization (PPK) to purchase surplus agricultural produce.
A total of 449 metric tons of agricultural produce have been purchase from approximately 500 farmers to date.
A total of 231 metric tons (51.4 per cent) were sold to the market while the remaining was donated to those in need.
In addition to that, MANRED through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) has also conducted various CSR program which includes:
- Supplementary Economic Activity or Aktiviti Ekonomi Tambahan (AET) – assistance to increase the income of the target group
- Development of infrastructure and basic facilities – includes construction of community hall, village road, bridge, village water supply project (gravity piped water supply)
- Education loan assistance – For eligible participants and children of participants
- Building facilities for clinics and kindergartens
- Construction of houses of worship – includes mosque and chapel
Among the type of assistances or schemes provided are;
- Agricultural Input Assistance to Oil Palm & Pepper Smallholders
As of this year, the Government has approved an allocation of RM60 million to assist smallholders of oil palm and pepper.
- Fishermen’s Monsoon Assistance Aid (BMTN)
In 2020, a total of RM8.61 million was disbursed under BMTN in the form of cash assistance to 5,733 participants, where each fisherman receives RM300 per month for five months (January, February, March, November and December).
- Fishermen Input and Fishing Equipment Assistance (BIPN)
Under BIPN, a total of RM20 million has been allocated to assist about 10,000 participants through the provision of fishing equipment to participants.
- Farm Infrastructure Program
This program ensures connectivity between the farmers and the markets.
Under the Farm Infrastructure Program, 2000 kilometers of farm roads are built with a total cost of RM125 million, where it is has benefitted more than 28, 000 participants across Sarawak.
- Contract Farm Program 2.0
The Contract Farm Program 2.0 is a cooperation between the State and the Federal Government in providing marketing facilities and market access to farmers to sell agricultural products.
