Dr Rundi speaks to the media at the press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (Nov 6): Sarawak needs more agricultural researchers to drive modern farming and transform the sector into a technology-driven industry, said State Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the 20th Sarawak Agriculture Institute convocation ceremony here today, he highlighted that research and innovation are key to improving productivity, sustainability, and income among Sarawak’s farmers.
“When I visited Japan’s Fisheries Research Agency, they had over 500 researchers supported by five universities. In Sarawak, we only have four in aquaculture and 37 in total,” he said, pointing out that the state is still far behind in producing agricultural researchers.
“The key to developing our farmers is through research. That is where quality production begins, and that is what we must strengthen,” he said.
He said the Sarawak government is working to increase local research capacity, particularly in aquaculture, crop science, and smart-farming applications, to help meet its target of becoming a net food exporter by 2030 under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030.
Dr Rundi also called on the state’s agricultural training institutes to produce graduates who are not only skilled workers but also innovative problem-solvers capable of using modern tools and technologies.
“Gone are the days when farming depended solely on the weather. With technology, we can control when to sow, irrigate, and harvest,” he said.
“These graduates should form the backbone of a new generation of modern agropreneurs.”
The minister stressed the need to elevate public perception of farming from a low-status job to a respected and profitable profession.
“In developed countries, farmers enjoy high standing in society. We want Sarawak’s farmers to be seen with the same pride and respect.”
He urged young graduates to go beyond seeking employment and instead become entrepreneurs who create value through downstream processing and marketing.
“Those who want to make money are the real entrepreneurs. We must think about the full value chain — not just production, but processing, packaging, and export,” he said.
Citing examples such as durian and dabai, Dr Rundi noted that many local farmers lose income because their produce lacks processing and market access.
Downstream industries, he added, could stabilise prices and ensure farmers’ efforts are ‘translated into dollars and cents’.
“Transformation will not happen without research and innovation. Our youth are the key to the future of Sarawak’s agriculture,” he said.
The convocation saw a total of 116 graduates of the Sarawak Agricultural Institute, comprising 92 graduates of the Malaysian Agriculture Certificate Programme and 24 graduates of the Malaysian Skills Certificate Programme, successfully completing their studies.
Also present were advisor in the Premier’s Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development) Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, State Agriculture director Dominic Chunggat, and Sarawak Agriculture Institute principal Latip Bundan.
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