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Professionals, Experts Urged To Help Farmers Progress, Improve Livelihood
Idris demonstrates by pouring pepper into the ‘Pepper Peel-O-Matic’ machine. Also seen is Yap (right).02
October 19th, 2017 | 08:54 AM | 1983 views
KUCHING
Professionals and experts cannot consider themselves successful if they fail to contribute and help in uplifting the socio-economic and wellbeing of the people.
Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who stated this, reminded that professors and doctors (doctorate-level degree) are useless if farmers are not successful.
“Remember that the most important thing is that doctorates are meant to bring progress to humanity including farmers, similar to ministers for a minister is of no use if there is no progress and improvement in higher education,” he said.
“When higher education improves, the country will continue to grow and make progress. So our higher education is advancing and the minister remains relevant. True or not?,” he asked the attendees, who responded with thunderous applause.
Idris was speaking at the launch of ‘The Translational Research: Sarawak Pepper Research Project and Development of Research Farm and Community’ at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus held at a leading hotel here yesterday.
Some 400 farmers from around Kuching, Bau, Serian and Lundu attended the event which witnessed the announcement of the development of ‘Sarawak Pepper Farm’ project on a 25-acre land at UPM Bintulu Campus.
The setting up of the Sarawak Pepper Farm @ UPM Bintulu is a strategic and effective research collaboration between UPM, state Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research and the Malaysia Pepper Board (MPB).
This project is a comprehensive partnership to drive up pepper production in Sarawak particularly and Malaysia in general.
Idris assured farmers that UPM will help them to develop their pepper plantations with modern technology and knowledge for better productivity that ultimately will contribute towards improving their livelihood and wellbeing.
“UPM will help, including transferring of knowledge to farmers. I believe that they (professors, doctors and farmers) will give high commitment because they want to see success and bring back the glory of pepper as the best in the world,” he emphasised.
“We will continue to improve the pepper industry because Sarawak pepper is the best in the world. Moreover, it is the choice of pepper of Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom,” he said, while calling on farmers and planters to have a strong spirit and keep soaring to new heights.
Acknowledging that Sarawak pepper is the best, Idris believes farmers will have the confidence, be committed and put efforts to ensure the success of Sarawak Pepper Farm project.
“I know RM1-million research fund is insufficient and I will hold discussions to add more funds when needed,” he said.
“I believe this project will be a success for the wellbeing and improvement of farmers in Sarawak,” he added.
The event also witnessed the launching of the ‘Pepper Peel-O-Matic’ machine of the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) for the pepper farms of Rumah Melina in Luing, Spak in Betong.
It also witnessed the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UPM and MPB as well as presentation of research grant, Excellent Students Award and UPM Excellent Research Scheme (SKP UPM).
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Mary Yap, UPM vice chancellor Prof Datin Paduka Dr Aini Inderis, Higher Education director general Ir Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir and MPB director general Dr Harry Entebang were among those present.
Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST
by BORNEO POST
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