LONG PELUAN -High-yield rubber cultivation scheme under Rural Transformation Programme is expected to be the socio-economic transformer for the rural communities in Long Peluan and Long Beruang in Baram.
Launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently, the scheme is expected to generate a household income of around RM48,000 a year. Under the scheme, a family will cultivate around four hectares of high quality rubber that is able to produce around 1,700 kilogrammes of rubber/ha in a year.
The project is under the NKEA Rural Transformation Programme that aims to stimulate and boost economic development and improve the living standard in rural and remote areas in the country.
Rubber has been identified as the most suitable commodity that is able to generate stable income to both Kelabit and Penan community in Kampung Long Peluan and Long Beruang in the most remote settlements in Baram.
The project, which is expected to provide employment to the local community, is being implemented by Sarawak Agricultural Department in collaboration with Ruyud Sdn Bhd, a local company.
Among the high rubber clones introduced in the scheme are RRIM 928 and RRIM 929, which are able to produce high quality latex of around 1,500 – 2,300 kg/ha in a year.
The first phase of the project involves the clearing of land, building of infrastructure such as road to the estate and nursery for rubber saplings followed by planting. Around 20 hectares of land has been developed as rubber estates in Long Peluan and 10 hectares in Long Beruang.
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Citing a recent pricing, the cost for the purchase and delivery of high quality saplings from the nurseries in both Long Peluan and Long Beruang was around RM94,300 while the total cost for both pilot projects involving an area of 30 hectares was around RM224,250.
Tagang fish rearing system project is also being implemented in Long Peluan under Rural Transformation Programme.
The project was approved with a government grant of RM40,000 where RM10,000 is for the development of research and forward base and RM30,000 for fish feed, equipment and other necessities in the project.
The project is expected to generate an income of around RM3,000 a month for the community.
At the launch, 5,000 fry were released into the river by Muhyiddin.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Minister for Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan, Depuy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, Deputy State Secretary Dato Ose Murang, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Senator Lihan Jok.
Source: The Borneo Post