Azlan Othman
There are separate agencies under the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) to help large companies and small businesses. The MPRT aims to help small businesses expand and aid home-based enterprises operate like proper businesses.
A major portion of the food industry is home-based businesses. There’s a need to raise their standards and relocate to facilities for more conducive operations.
This was said by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin at the 19th Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
He said this in response to LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Suyoi bin Haji Osman’s query about assisting local youth.
The minister said there are programmes to encourage youth to take part in high-tech farming with the latest in its seventh edition comprising 119 participants. They are introduced to different projects and given two hectares of land to start farming.
The MPRT is also working with Darussalam Enterprise (DARe) and Bank Usahawan. Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf said the programmes are not limited to farming and include agrifood, tourism and downstream timber enterprises.
The minister said the ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and authorities such as Temburong District Development Authority (AKDT) to develop tourism in the Temburong District.
