Generally, the people are adjusting quite well to the demand for change. Undoubtedly, the introduction of the politics of development as the philosophy of development by Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud in mid 80s clearly helped to make the people realize that they must face and adapt to changes in the process of development.
The opposition also talks about change with a specific objective for Pehin Sri Abdul Taib to step down. Their reason he has been at the helm of PBB, Barisan Nasional and the State government for about 30 years. But what about Lim Kit Siang, who has been heading DAP for 43 years, Karpal Singh, 37 years. The Opposition DAP is just being narrow and stupid.
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| Aquaculture Industry Zones in Sarawak |
As how things are happening now, the new Reality with the abbreviation COME for Change, Opportunity, Mobility and Equality in the old days must also change with time. As the people, irrespective of their ethnic origins and other differences, have a strong sense of equality among them the abbreviation COME now become COMES to reflect the New Reality towards the year 2020 and beyond.
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib says COMES now stands for Change, new opportunities, greater mobility and Entrepreneurial Spirit. The concept of COMES must become the people’s response to development in the Tenth Malaysia Plan from this year on wards. That is what the people should understand COMES as the new reality under the second wave of the politic of development.
Obviously, the Ministry of the Modernisation of Agriculture is hitting the right note with its program to intensify effort to develop an additional 1,300 entrepreneurs under the Agro-based and Food Industry Program. The ministry's effort is on the development of entrepreneurs. Throughout the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Department of Agriculture assisted 1,094 participants through the Agro-Based and Food Industries Program. They achieved sales value of between RM250,000 to RM1 million. Now, they have generated total sales value of RM91 million.
Understandably, the Ministry’s objective is to increase the self-sufficiency level in beef production by introducing an innovative approach called cattle-oil palm integration system, which allows cattle to graze under oil palm in a rotational manner. The system has been proven to be effective in increasing the cattle population from 8,000 to 14,000 heads since 2000. The State, with vast area under oil palm, has great potential of increasing beef production through this system. This program is being pursued in the current development plan.
Decline of Ikan Terubok
The Department of Agriculture has imposed closed season fishing for the conservation and management of Terubok since 2007 for Batang Lassa and 2009 for Batang Lupar. The department has procured RM1.1 million worth of equipment for enforcement purposes. Despite the earlier research efforts, there are still gaps to be bridged in the mass production technology as well as the development of culture system for Ikan Terubok.
Understandably, preliminary results on the rearing of first generation of Ikan Terubok in tanks have shown that the fish can grow to maturity as well as breed naturally under captive conditions. Emerging research and conservation trends worldwide are towards domestication of the fish. Hence the Department of Agriculture has been directed to improve Lingga and Semariang Batu fishery stations for research and mass production of Terubok fry. The State Government has allocated RM1.35 million in the current development plan for the purpose.
Obviously, the ministry of the Modernisation of Agriculture is very concerned about the decline of Ikan Terubok, which is considered as the invaluable resource. The resource is important for the social economic livelihoods of coastal fishermen, especially in Batang Lupar and Batang Lassa. Recognising the importance of this resource, we have started our
A scientific research, which started in early 90s in collaboration with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Australia indicates that Ikan Terubok is highly excitable and delicate with a high mortality rate. It is a fast growing fish in favorable environmental condition.
The State has two main river systems namely Batang Lupar and Batang Lassa which can become the core spawning areas for Ikan Terubok. Besides, research work will also be done in Saribas River and Batang Sadong where Ikan Terubok and its juvenile Ikan Emprit are found in them.
Culture of Ikan Empurau
The Ministry for year 2011 and year 2012 will also focus on the research for the breeding and production as well as culture of Ikan Empurau by entrepreneurs. Ikan Empurau, known for being very delicious can command a retail price of up to RM800 per Kg.
The Ministry’s research on Ikan Empurau, a much sought-after fish, has succeeded in the artificial breeding of the fish. It has been able to produce Empurau fry for the purpose. The Federal Government has approved fund amounting to RM5.5 million for upgrading the infrastructure and building new research and development facilities including breeding facilities in Tarat Fisheries Station. The present production facilities are insufficient to meet the demand by the farmers as well as for restocking the river systems.
The Ministry has also introduced a community-based management system (CBMS) called Tagang, which involves a smart-partnership between the local community and the government in managing a selected stretch of river system. These areas are declared as non-fishing areas for at least 2 to 3 years. Anyone caught fishing in them during the period will be fined based on the local Adat. The system will also replenish rivers with fish and maintain their diversity.
The Ministry, through the Department of Agriculture, is releasing indigenous fish species such as Empurau, Semah, Tengadak, Sayan, Baung, and Lampam Jawa. After 2-3 years of controlled period harvesting will be carried out on a gotong-royong basis; the harvest will be shared among the community. The success of Tagang System depends on total commitment of local communities as well as strong leadership at grass root level to impose discipline to protect their rivers.
The Tagang System, which prohibits indiscriminate destruction of fish population by poisoning of and using explosives in the rivers, is being implemented in 39 areas throughout the State. The Department of Agriculture is being allocated an annual allocation of RM2.7 million to implement the System in 10 areas.
Besides, two areas have been identified for integrated cage fish farming namely Batang Ai and Bakun. The federal government has allocated RM7 million for this project. SALCRA has been appointed as the lead implementing agency for Batang Ai. The project for Bakun will only commence once the condition is ready. The annual target production for each project is 24,000 tonnes. This will certainly increase aquaculture production in Sarawak.
The Ministry is in the process of formulating a dedicated agency including its organisational structure and manpower requirements to undertake the overall coordination, planning and implementation of project pertaining to the commercialisation of paddy farming in Batang Lupar area.
A pilot farm survey has been carried out to determine the responses and views of 180 farmers, who own 200 hectares of land at Stumbin/Bijat area, for the proposed project. All them are keen to participate in the project.
The Department of Agriculture is commissioning a consultancy firm to evaluate the performance of tropical hybrid rice varieties from China and Philippines under Sarawak conditions. The field study at Paya Paloh Rice Station, now in progress, will be completed by June 2013. The foreign scientists, engaged by the consultancy firm will arrive soon to start the evaluation of hybrid rice varieties. The State Government has allocated RM2.28 million over a period of two years for the study. Hybrid rice plays a very critical role in solving staple food shortage in China, Vietnam, Philippines and India. It has been proven that hybrid rice has more than 20% yield advantage over commercial varieties.
benuasains
*Photos Source:
google.com.my
http://www2.dof.gov.my/sarawak/ms/programmes/projek1
http://blog.moa.gov.my/?p=820
http://nuruldya13.blogspot.com
http://nuruldya13.blogspot.com
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