Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh-Abrahaman this morning graced the Premier Talk of the Knowledge Convention 2018 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.  The talk was a major component of the Knowledge Convention organised in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 72nd Birthday.

 Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda binti Haji C.A. Mohamed, the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office as the Chairperson of the Knowledge Convention Premier Talk 2018; Datin Dayang Hajah Norhaida binti Haji Sulaiman, wife of the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism;  Datin Dayang Hajah Zalina binti Haji Omar, wife of the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; Pengiran Datin Noor Yasimah binti Pengiran Anak Haji Hashim, wife of the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy; Datin Dayang Hajah Maimunah binti Haji C.A Mohamed, wife of the Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry; and Datin Seri Paduka Doctor Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, the Deputy Minister of Education.

 Also in attendance were her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador at-Large the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

 The event began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Dayang Norainiyanti binti Haji Hussin, Senior Religious Officer at the Mosque Affairs Department.

 In her welcoming speech, Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Elinda touched on the title of the Premier Talk, "Women as Supporters of National Aspiration in the Field of Agriculture" which emphasised women's involvement in agriculture and livestock industry.

 Professor Doctor Dayang Hajah Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman, the Vice Chancellor of University Technology Brunei, UTB, in her Premier Talk explained the successful involvement of several local women in agriculture.  Professor Doctor Dayang Hajah Zohrah also highlighted a number of factors attributed to the success of those women including strong spirit and diligence as well as family support and making agriculture a source of income.

 The Doa Selamat was read by Dayang Norainiyanti binti Haji Hussin, Senior Religious Officer at the Mosque Affairs Department.

 The goal of the Premier Talk of the Knowledge Convention 2018 is to change the jobless women's perception so that they turn to agriculture as a career or livelihood in support of the country's desire to make agriculture as source of survivability of the race and nation.

Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri then viewed a Concise Agriculture Exhibition organised with solid cooperation among the various government agencies, industries and government-linked companies.

The Department of Agriculture and Agrifood and the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism showcased the evolution of agriculture and fishery in the country titled, "the Past, Present and the Future."   The Ministry targets the value of output by the Agriculture and Agrifood Industry to be around 1 point zero eight billion dollars and 680 million dollars for the Fishery Sector in 2020.

 Mukim Pengkalan Batu Consultative Council exhibited the statistics of output for a ten year period.  The paddy is grown by 51 members of the Mukim Consultative Council.  The production of paddy increased from more than 55 metric tonnes in 2007 to 386 metric tonnes last year.

 Syarikat KN Nursery showcased the production of the 'phalaenopsis' orchid using high technology Green House for the flowering process of the orchid.   Last year the company's output decreased to forty five thousand and forty three orchid trees compared to fifty three thousand an five hundred thirty seven in 2016.

 Syarikat Cherryland displayed cultivation using the polybag and trickle system for water melons, tomatoes, bitter gourds and cucumbers.  The company's production increased from 4.9 metric tonnes in 2017 to 5.2 metric tonnes this year.

Vegetable growing under the brand "All about Green' was exhibited by Syarikat Marsya Farm.  According to statistics from January to August this year, the company's output was fifty eight thousand, six hundred and six metric tonnes.

Meanwhile, the eggs output of Syarikat Golden Chick Livestock Sendirian Berhad increased from more than 10 million eggs in 2016 to more than 45 million eggs in 2017.

Brugoat Farming and Trading Sendirian Berhad showcased goat and sheep rearing.  The company started its activities in 2015 on a more than 2 hectares private land.

A number of Agrifood Industry companies also took part in the exhibition.  Syarikat Khaslih Food exhibited fruit-based jam made from pineapples, papayas and others.

Ideal Food Industries Sendirian Berhad main activity is poultry farming and products.  More than half of the company's workers are locals.

Two companies in the fisheries industry also participated.  Syarikat Usaha Tani Deli Duman produces fresh water fish and crayfish known as udang galah at a 5 hectares farm in Kampung Rampayoh Labi, Ulu Belait.   Up to last month, the company had produced more than zero point eight metric tonnes of fresh water fish and 36 thousand of the giant prawns.

 The caged fish industry output by Syarikat ODE Agriculture and Aquaculture up to October this year reached more than 9 thousand metric tonnes compared to 7 thousand metric tonnes last year.

Before departing for the venue, Her Royal Highness signed a commemorative parchment.  The theme of this year's Knowledge Convention, 'Agriculture Sector: Survivability of Race and Nation' uphold the titah of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam which emphasises the importance of economic development, especially the agricultural sector and efforts towards the accomplishment of Wawasan Brunei 2035 to achieve a dynamic and sustainable economy.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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