KUCHING, May 23: With the ongoing food supply issues and food security plaguing the world, Sarawak should strive to be a self-sufficient state.
Serembu state assemblyman, Miro Simuh, said the COVID-19 pandemic had been a “timely concern” that showed the example on the importance of food safety and food security.
“Food safety and security are two complementing elements with a profound impact in the quality of life,” he said in his debate supporting the King’s Address.
He said for a state of three million population, Sarawak is heavily reliant on imported food, with up to 50 percent of food in the market comprised of imported food items.
“With a vast land for agriculture, we should be able to feed our population with our produce,” said Miro.
Therefore, he urged the State Government through the Ministry of Modern Agriculture to look into the establishment of Kuching-Serian Hinterland Development Authority (KSHDA) to develop the region from DUN Opar to DUN Tebedu into Sarawak’s food basket.
“We need to increase the acreage of land for paddy plantation, corn for animal feed plantations and meat and vegetables supplies so that we can reduce our reliant on imported food products and develop the domestic economy of our own people,” he added.
With the aspirations, he hopes to turn Sarawak from nett-imported food producer to nett-exporter for food supplies in the region.
Additionally, he calls for the formation of an agency to sample and enforce stringent imported food in the market, to ensure food safety for consumers. – TVS
