KUCHING,Friday, August 10, 2001(The Star) -The Sarawak Land Consolidationand Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) will get RM138mil funding from thestate government to develop more oil palm estates under the EighthMalaysia Plan.Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said the approved allocationwould enable Salcra to plant another 12,000ha, including 5,500ha inSaribas estate in Sri Aman Division.Jabu, who is also Salcra chairman, said 11,128ha of oil palm estates hadbeen developed under the Kalaka-Saribas integrated agriculture developmentproject.More than 7,800ha were in Saratok, Roban South and Roban North estates inthe Kalaka district.Jabu recently officiated a consolidation project at Saribas estate aimedat improving its management.He said participants of oil palm schemes should not be unduly concernedwith the fluctuations in crude palm oil prices, assuring them thatinvestment in such schemes would bring them better returns.Crude palm oil prices have shot up to about RM1,300 per tonne from someRM700 per tonne months ago.Salcra recently paid out RM93mil in dividends to its scheme participants.