Belait is biggest local fruit producer
Encouraging local farmers: (Top) Belait District Officer Hj Mohammad (2nd L) among others present during the launching of Fruits and AgriFood Fair 2008 held in Kuala Belait. (Middle) Mascots in the shape of local fruits at the launching of the fair yesterday. (Above) Costumed students from the Choir Group of Phuturphase Production performing. Picture: The Brunei Times
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
BELAIT has emerged as the biggest fruit-producing district, with 471 hectares of farm land and $3.5million in revenue generated by around 239 of its farmers.
This was said by the Belait District Officer Hj Mohammad Hj Abdul Rahman yesterday during the launching ceremony of Fruits and AgriFood Fair 2008 at the Tamu Tudung Saji.
He cautioned local farmers not to be complacent with the figures, as they are still not significant enough.
"The country's local production of fruits is still quite low, where the fruits industry only has a local production rate of 23 per cent whereas tropical fruits production only stands at 34 per cent," he said.
The district officer advised all farmers to make use of resources available to them to boost production and reduce imports of agricultural commodities. He suggested measures such as taking advantage of land granted by the government, incorporating technology in crop production and establishing an efficient farm management system.
He also encouraged farmers to plant local indigenous fruits as well.
The fair yesterday also saw a campaign on planting indigenous fruit trees in order to raise awareness of their importance among youths and to preserve such fruits as a national heritage.
Coupons for fruits seedlings were also distributed to various Belait schools, including Merangking Primary School, Ahmad Tajuddin Primary School, Melilas Primary School and Panaga Primary School.
Visitors to the fair yesterday were also given free seedlings.
The Belait fair is a continuation of the Fruits and AgriFood Fair 2008 held recently at Kampung Parit Recreation Park, Jalan Limau Manis earlier this month in conjunction with His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations.
The annual event, held for the third time in the district, will run until July 27. It is themed "Local Fruits Our National Heritage: Love and Appreciate it".
The festival features booths categorised under various categories, among them fresh fruits, inputs, landscape, and handicrafts.
There will also be side activities such as Jawi writing competition, quizzes, and cultural shows.
The fair is oganised by the Belait Agriculture Department alongside with the district's non-government organisations. (DKR1)
The Brunei Times
This was said by the Belait District Officer Hj Mohammad Hj Abdul Rahman yesterday during the launching ceremony of Fruits and AgriFood Fair 2008 at the Tamu Tudung Saji.
He cautioned local farmers not to be complacent with the figures, as they are still not significant enough.
"The country's local production of fruits is still quite low, where the fruits industry only has a local production rate of 23 per cent whereas tropical fruits production only stands at 34 per cent," he said.
The district officer advised all farmers to make use of resources available to them to boost production and reduce imports of agricultural commodities. He suggested measures such as taking advantage of land granted by the government, incorporating technology in crop production and establishing an efficient farm management system.
He also encouraged farmers to plant local indigenous fruits as well.
The fair yesterday also saw a campaign on planting indigenous fruit trees in order to raise awareness of their importance among youths and to preserve such fruits as a national heritage.
Coupons for fruits seedlings were also distributed to various Belait schools, including Merangking Primary School, Ahmad Tajuddin Primary School, Melilas Primary School and Panaga Primary School.
Visitors to the fair yesterday were also given free seedlings.
The Belait fair is a continuation of the Fruits and AgriFood Fair 2008 held recently at Kampung Parit Recreation Park, Jalan Limau Manis earlier this month in conjunction with His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations.
The annual event, held for the third time in the district, will run until July 27. It is themed "Local Fruits Our National Heritage: Love and Appreciate it".
The festival features booths categorised under various categories, among them fresh fruits, inputs, landscape, and handicrafts.
There will also be side activities such as Jawi writing competition, quizzes, and cultural shows.
The fair is oganised by the Belait Agriculture Department alongside with the district's non-government organisations. (DKR1)
The Brunei Times
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