James Kon
High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam Dato’ Raja Reza bin Raja Zaib Shah urged Malaysian entrepreneurs in the Sultanate to be more involved in the agriculture sector, where there is still much potential to grow.
He said this during an official visit to IAM Food, an agritech farm in Tungku Agricultural Development Area on Thursday, where he and his spouse were welcomed by farm Directors Ellin Chong and her husband Lau Han Chong.
The Malaysian high commissioner said, “Agriculture is one of the important growing economic activities in the Sultanate. During the recent Legislative Council (LegCo) session, a BND96.13-million budget was approved for the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MRPT), in which 32 per cent will be allocated for the development projects to boost Brunei’s food security.”
He said farmers and entrepreneurs must continue to explore innovative ways to modernise their farming and production methods to embrace new technology, including the application of the Internet of Things (IoT). “This is essential especially during the pandemic, as Brunei is also facing the challenges of sourcing foreign workers.“
Prior to a tour, farm Director Ellin briefed on IAM Food. “This month marks the company’s first anniversary,” Ellin said, adding that Phase 1 costs around BND3 million.
Ellin expressed hope to inspire other entrepreneurs to the farm, “by showing the country what we are capable of and how we do it”.
IAM Food earned a vote of confidence from the MPRT, being given another two plots of land – 2.2 hectares and 5.5 hectares – to expand its production. Working closely with the MPRT through the Agriculture and Agrifood Department, IAM Food explores new ways to make agriculture more sustainable and help the sector achieve its production goals.
