Vasco (left) and Sabako oil palm estate land owners pose with the European MPs.

25/02/2015 (Borneo Post) - European members of parliament lauded the professionalism of the management of Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) in handling land development for oil palm.

Head of the delegates, Richard Asworth, said he was very impressed after visiting Sabako Oil Palm Estate in Lundu and a briefing by Salcra on land development in the state.

“It was an inspiring morning when we came to Malaysia to study the palm oil crop. We had seen a larger planting and ownership and today a small scale holder and cooperatives production,” he told reporters after the lunch hosted by Salcra at Bau Oil Palm Mill here
yesterday.

Asworth said the delegates were satisfied in every aspect of environmental responsibility exercised by Salcra.

He was also impressed by how the authority had helped the people improve their livelihood, who otherwise would be practising subsistence agriculture.

“I am satisfied that it is a very exciting model in helping them to better themselves,” he added.

Asworth is also a member of the European Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Earlier, the delegates visited Sabako oil palm estate in Lundu, where they were given a briefing on oil palm management and land development in the area by Salcra general manager Datu Vasco Sabat Singkang.

After that, the delegates had further briefings at Bau Oil Palm Mill on the function of Salcra and how the authority had successfully brought socio-economic development to the people in rural areas.