Tenom: Sabah Agricultural Department is urged to take further action after the upgrading of the Sabah Agricultural Park (TPS) in Lagud Sebrang Tenom as announced by the Chief Minister on November last year.Minister of Rural Development Datuk Radin Malleh said the approval of the upgrading showed the commitment of the State government in making the park a plant conservation and learning centre, as well as the best agro-tourism destination in the region.
Radin said, the upgrading of the park would surely increase the number of visitors to the park which currently receives an average of 24,000 visitor a year.
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"I welcome the announcement by the Chief Minister to upgrade the Sabah Agricultural Park on 14 November 2014 as this will further develop the potentials of the park," Radin said when officiating the Flower Fest.
He added, the conservation programs implemented by the park should be maintained to ensure certain rare plants to be preserved for the future generations as well as being an attraction for researchers and visitors.
The visits made by various foreign leaders and researchers proved that the park has its own attraction and uniqueness.
On the Flower Fest, it is one of the three annual events by the Sabah Agricultural Department to promote the park as one of the main agro-tourism destinations in the country. The two day fest started on Saturday was held for the 13th time by the Department.
"Through this programme, the government's vision of making Malaysia a Beautiful Park Nation by 2020 will become a reality.
"The Flower Fest offers an opportunity to all segments of the community, especially landscaping and local floral entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity and market their products which can motivate the growth of this industry," he said.
"It can also be a living classroom or an effective lab for students and researchers from higher learning institutes to learn and appreciate the aspects of creating, designing parks."
He said, last year, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from the United Kingdom has chosen the park as a shooting site for the research on the flying snakes or known as the Kukuo Ralaa in Murut language.
The cooperation with three schools in this district which was launched in March will further increase the awareness among youths as well as benefitting the students involved. Also present, the Chairman of Safoda, Senator Datuk Dr Lucas Umbul, Sabah Agricultural Department Director, Idrus Shafie, District Officer Madayim Layappan, and TPS Manager, Osman Marjuki, among others.
