Rural funding setback for Ministry
Published on: Wednesday, February 19, 2020
By: Ottey Peter
KOTA KINABALU: The State Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) is experiencing a setback in implementing two of its programmes, namely the rural entrepreneurship development programme and the one district one product development programme, whose allocations had been cut down this year.
Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, however, said that he will continue to strive to get back the actual allocation provided for both programmes, which had been allocated with only RM1 million this year, which is much lesser than the RM3 million allocated last year.
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“I am currently striving to ask for the original allocation (as last year) be given back to these programmes under the supplementary budget that will be tabled in August this year.
“The allocation is important because it involves the source of income of our rural entrepreneurs and I am convinced that not only do we provide jobs but at the same it also create jobs. So this budget needs to be returned so that my ministry can help them,’ he told reporters after officiating the Pepper Agropreneur Development Workshop Series 3 held at the Grand Borneo Hotel here, Tuesday.
About 40 participants throughout Sabah, consisting pepper growers and entrepreneurs attended the workshop.
Ewon said the workshop exposes entrepreneurs with various courses and training related to value-added product development to further diversify the innovative and commercial use of pepper.
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He said entrepreneurs will then have the opportunity to grow their pepper business through participation in local and international exhibitions that were organised in the country.
“I was made to understand that there were another two such programmes being held this year, the first in Sibu, Sarawak in January and the second in Bintulu, also in Sarawak early this month.
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“Such programme is a positive development as it not only optimises resources and expertise, but it is also a source of revenue. I believe that given the opportunity, these potential groups will definitely want to grow their small business to the next level,” he said.
Ewon said about 40 hectares were planted with pepper throughout Sabah, according to the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB).
He said his ministry and MPB are working closely to promote and develop pepper plantations in Sabah.
“There are probably more pepper farms in the State as some were not registered with MPB.
“My Ministry is looking on the pepper suitability to grow at the Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) areas. I would like it to start in Kemambong and hopefully the cultivation will start around Aug or Sept, this year,” he said.
MPB Deputy Director General (Operation) Othman Sajili was also present.
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