WITH THANKS: Limbang Resident Maria Hasman (right) presents a gift to Entri. Also seen is Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang.

29/08/2012 (Borneo Post) - The agriculture sector, including fisheries and livestock, contributed 8 per cent to Sarawak’s economy last year with revenue totalling RM4 billion.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers Organisation) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran said the state also exported RM9.2 billion worth of goods from the three sectors last year.

“From that total, palm oil was the major contributor to the state’s export value of RM8.3 billion.

“This shows that the agricultural sector is one of the strategic areas of economy, not just the result of rich natural resources, but its potential to ensure balanced development between urban and rural areas,” he said when closing an Agrofest seminar here yesterday.

Entri said that since the 1980s, the state’s economic structure has been diversified and enriched with value-added products.

This would be taken even further with the developments under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

“SCORE is a transformation plan that leads to major changes of economic development and infrastructure in Sarawak.

“Although the area does not covers all divisions, but development elsewhere is not neglected and SCORE would provide an opportunity to boost the economy and employment sectors,” he said.

This includes Limbang, where the focus will be on the agriculture sector such as palm oil-based industry, fisheries, livestock and aquaculture, which are among the priority industries under SCORE.

Entri said SCORE is also designed to help the people get better jobs and incomes to achieve high-income nation status.

He called on farmers, breeders and fishermen to be prepared for the social and economic changes implemented by the government.

“Given that the agriculture sector plays an important role in generating the state’s economy, thus significant and comprehensive transformation should be executed starting from production level to the marketing of the products,” Entri added.

“In terms of changing their mindset, they need to change the perception that agriculture is not just to earn enough to eat, but a sector that can generate sustainable income.”

He also called on youths to involve themselves in the agriculture sector because the industry can offer a variety of profitable business opportunities from production to processing and marketing.