SARAWAK Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has revealed that the state will announce a new agricultural strategy by the end of the year, aimed at increasing farm incomes and reducing dependence on imported food.
Speaking in Gedong, Sarawak after attending a korban (ritual animal sacrifice) event on Sunday, Abang Johari said the plan was inspired by his recent visit to a palm kernel processing facility operated by the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) in Lubok Antu, Sri Aman.
“There’s something I plan to announce at the end of the year. It’s a way forward that allows us to generate more income from agriculture without relying so heavily on imports,” he said.
He explained that oil palm plantations could be repurposed to host integrated feedlot centres for livestock, creating a circular agricultural system.
Abang Johari noted that palm oil waste, which is often discarded, would instead be processed into biomass-based animal feed, enriched with napier grass. This approach, he said, would support a locally produced, sustainable alternative to imported livestock feed.
“If we can produce quality livestock feed locally using palm waste and napier grass, our cattle will have access to a more nutritious diet,” he added.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen food security and develop value-added agriculture in Sarawak. - June 8, 2025
