KUCHING:  The federal government has allocated RM500 million to assist farmer in the state next year.

When revealing this, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas advised people to develop their idle lands for agriculture purposes.

According to Uggah, the government has various programmes next year for improving the living standard of the people.

Among the main focus is to enhance the agriculture sector in Sarawak and a total of RM500 million has been allocated to assist farmers in the cultivation of pepper, rubber and other commodities,” he said at a dinner organised by the Saribas Social and Recreational Club (SSRC) at Pullman Kuching on Saturday.

He advised farmers to grab the opportunities provided by the government to increase their income.

“Idle land should be developed so that it can bring income to the landowners and their famiIies,” he said.

Uggah, who is also Member of Parliament for Betong, said the government had also allocated RM50 million for the perimeter survey of NCR land in Sarawak and Sabah.

“A sum of RM30 million had been allocated for the perimeter survey of NCR land in Sarawak.” he said, adding that with the perimeter survey of NCR land, the issues related to NCR land could be resolved.

Uggah said the policy of the Barisan Nasional (BN) was to give opportunities to the people to improve their standard of living.

He announced a grant of RM30,000 for SSRC to carry out its activities.

(Source:  New Sarawak Tribune, 16 December 2013)