(Seated from left) Abdullah, with Abang Johari on his left and other government officials, listen to a briefing on the development projects in Pulau Bruit. – Photo by Borhaniza Ali Basah

BINTULU (Sept 14): Pulau Bruit has the potential to serve as the state’s central zone hub for the supplies of seafood, fruits and rice, said Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol.

Abdullah, who is also the Semop assemblyman, said this at the launching of Pesta Pulau Bruit 2024 at Rural Growth Centre (RGC) Semop in Daro, near here today.

The festival, which was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, had gathered some 20 government agencies as exhibitors at the event.

According to Abdullah, the Pesta Pulau Bruit adopted the mini agrofest concept this year, meant to showcase innovative farming techniques and sustainable practices, as well as to expose the local farmers and fishermen to market-oriented agriculture.

“We hope the farmers and fishermen, especially the younger generation here, can adopt new methods in agriculture and seafood activities,” he said, adding that such transition from traditional subsistence farming could lead to better income and social mobility.

Several agriculture projects had already been implemented by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage and among them were the irrigation system upgrade at a cost of RM11.5 million on 676 hectares of agricultural land in Kampung Tekajong, and in Kampung Bruit at a cost of RM10.5 million, he disclosed.

“The total land area cultivated by 1,808 farmers on Pulau Bruit is approximately 1,160 hectares, whereby the island and nearby settlements comprised 1,587 fishermen (as of August); 1,004 gardeners, and 804 farmers/paddy planters,” he said, in emphasising the needs to further develop the area to benefit the population that were agriculture-dependent.

He said Pulau Bruit had for the past 15 years been receiving no less than RM1.7 billion in development funds for various public facilities projects, including two bridges connecting the island to the mainland.

The bridges spanning across the Batang Paloh and Batang Lassa Rivers would enhance connectivity and give better access for the locals to transport their products to the market, he added.

“With Abang Johari’s approval to build an agricultural centre and a food court at the RGC area here, this will also bring economic benefits to the locals,” he said, while suggesting that the state government set up a training and research centre for agriculture and livestock in the state’s central zone.