Brunei Darussalam, through the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, launched the official ‘Brunei Pesticide Free’ logo during the 14th Farmers, Livestock Breeders, and Fishermen’s Day appreciation ceremony at the Damai Ballroom of Aman Hills Shopping Centre.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin officiated the launch of the logo as the guest of honour on Tuesday, marking Brunei’s commitment to pesticide-free agriculture to ensure food safety, preserve environmental heritage and protect future generations.
The ceremony included an awards presentation recognising the contributions of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen to Brunei’s economic development, particularly in agriculture and fisheries. The minister presented 22 awards.
The award for Highest Output of the Livestock Industry Sector went to the Farm Manager of Soon Lee Farm and Trading Company Sdn Bhd Ong Chek Thiam as well as Golden Chick Livestock Farm Sdn Bhd and Golden Chick Hatchery and Breeding Farm Sdn Bhd.
The award for Increasing Output of the Livestock Industry Sector went to the Managing Director of Ideal Multifeed Farm (Brunei) Sdn Bhd and Ideal Hatchery Sdn Bhd Haji Awang Ahmad Morshidi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Haji Awang Abdul Rahman, while the award for Progressive Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Livestock Breeders went to the owner of Jasura General Enterprise Haji Jalal bin Haji Yusop.
The award for Youth Livestock Breeders went to farm owner of Erlin Jaya Enterprise Nuralinawati Nasrina Puteri binti Haji Ali.
The appreciation awards for plantation industry saw Farm Manager of I AM Food Enterprise Ellin Chong receiving the award for success female farmer while the award for Best Communal Farming went to the head of farming for Village Consultative Council (MPK) Kampong Tungku/Katok in Brunei-Muara District Haji Ismail bin Haji Rajab. The award for Pilot Agricultural Technology went to Farm Manager of Harvest Moon Trading Haji Muhammad Zulfadhli Ibnu bin Haji Mohammad Huzaimi, while the award for exemplary and dedicated farmer went to the head of farm for KPLB Parit Lama in Temburong District Biring bin Batong.
For the paddy industry, the award for Perdana Paddy went to farmer of Wasan Agricultural Development Area (KKP) and KKP Batang Perhentian Yusrie bin Latip, while the award for Success Paddy went to farmer owner of Yaz and Wyn Enterprise Mohd Ezwyn bin Haji Abu Bakar. Meanwhile, farmer of KKP Wasan Dato Paduka Haji A Jumat bin Haji Zakaria took home the award for Progressive Paddy, while the award for Kencana Paddy went to farmer of Kampong Pengkalan Mau Haji Salleh bin Anai.
The award for SME’s Highest Output in Agrifood Sector went to owner of Sabli Food Industries (B) Sdn Bhd Haji Abdul Hamid @ Haji Sabli bin Haji Arsad, while the award for SME that is Progressive, Developing and Increased Contribution in Agrifood went to owner of Syarikat Kayu Manis Babu Siti Mardiana binti Haji Mohamad. The award for Youth Progressive and Active in Agrifood went to owner of Nur Ar-Rahman Enterprise Ahmad Hazwan Al-Sukri bin Haji Abdul Halim.
A total of seven awards were presented in fisheries industry where owner of Syarikat Hajah Rosni binti Haji Kasim dan Anak-Anak Haji Abu Bakar bin Haji Chuchu received the Sustainable Production of Caged Fish Breeding award, while the award for Progressive Freshwater Fish Breeding Production went to owner of ODE Agriculture and Aquaculture Company Haji Awang Azahari bin Haji Chuchu.
The award for viable fish hatchery producer went to owner of Maisur Aquaculture Haji Yahya bin Haji Mohd Yusof, while the award for active and progressive full time fisherman went to Haji Zaidon bin Haji Musli.
The award for best processing manufacturer went to manager of Yamako Pacific (B) Sdn Bhd Kazuharu Watanabe, while the award for SME Progressive Seafood Production went to owner of Marimin Sdn Bhd Haji Khairul Azman bin Haji Tamin and the award for Shrimp Breeding for Export went to company owner of Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd Richard Chuang Hsi Shan.
The minister also presented Brunei Good Aquaculture Practice (BGAqP) certificate to three companies, which were Blue Ocean Tech Sdn Bhd, Barramundi Group (B) Sdn Bhd and Golden Corporation Sdn Bhd.
Eleven recipients comprising associations and companies received Special Appreciation Award for their loyal service in providing support towards development and the growth of the agricultural and fisheries industries in the country. The recipients are Persatuan Peladang-Peladang Brunei, Hua Ho Department Store (SYMB Bonus), Hua Ho Department Store (H2), Yuan Long Ping High-Tech Agriculture Co Ltd, PT Biogene Plantation, AE Asia Fruit Plantations, Perusahaan Zaias, Perusahaan Haji Mohd Salleh bin Haji Ludin dan Anak-Anak, BMC Food Industries (B) Sdn Bhd, Ideal Group Holdings Sdn Bhd and Poni Divers. – James Kon