24/08/2005 KUCHING (The Star) - Sarawak plans to increase its acreage ofoil palm estates and is looking into using palm oil for the production ofbiofuel.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the country had thetechnology to convert palm oil into biofuel.

"Palm oil-based fuel can be used as an alternative given the spirallingprices of crude oil globally," he said when opening a seminar oncommercial agriculture for youths at Santubong Resort near here yesterday.

Themed Opportunities and involvement of youths in commercial agriculture,the two-day event is organised by Saberkas, Sarawak’s largest youthorganisation in collaboration with the state Agriculture Department.

Taib said the state planned to increase its oil palm estates to onemillion hectares, twice the present figure.

"Sarawak is ideal for commercial agriculture development as it has vastland," he said, adding that another advantage the state enjoys is that ithas few crop diseases.

Taib, also Saberkas president, urged youths to change their perception offarming and not consider it as an inferior job.

Estate development, he said, offered many opportunities for qualifiedpeople, including working as estate managers and research officers.

"Modern agriculture requires knowledge workers," he added.

Earlier, in his speech, state Assistant Minister of Agriculture (ResearchAnd Development) Dublin Unting said modern agriculture required changes inmentality and practices.

The state government, he said, was confident that the youth could embracesuch changes.

"Young people have the enthusiasm and desire to learn new things, such asadopting technology and engaging good agricultural practices, as well asmarketing products in a competitive environment," he said, addingthatagrciulture entrepreneurship needed perseverance.