Uggah to come up with master plans for oil palm, rubber
Published on: Friday, May 27, 2016
Kuching: Sarawak Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will come up with master plans for oil palm and rubber industries in the State.Uggah, who is also one of three Sarawak Deputy Chief Ministers, said the master plans were for their more systematic and sustainable developments.He was speaking to the media here Thursday after taking over the responsibilities of the State Land Development Ministry from its former Minister, Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
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The Land Development Ministry would be revamped and merged with his Ministry, said Uggah.He added the master plans too, would allow greater emphasis on rural economy development based largely on the two commodities."To a certain extent, other commodities like cocoa and pepper will also be included."On oil palm, Sarawak is the new frontier, especially with its huge tract of native Customary Rights (NCR) land," he said, adding that by end of last year, some 1.4 million hectares had been cultivated and the target was to extend it to two million hectares by 2020.
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On the master plan for oil palm, Uggah said, among others, it would decide on the appropriate number of mills, refineries and ancillary facilities to sufficiently support the industry."We will also look at its long term sustainability, besides safeguarding the biodiversity and the environment."
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According to Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, the industry has been one of the fastest growing in the State.He said it contributed more than RM400 million annually in direct revenue (from sales tax) to the State Government and accounted for about nine per cent of its total export.On rubber, Uggah said some 175,000 hectares had already been cultivated with the crop.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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