Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang said once it was in place there should exist a more systematic approach to agricultural activities like farming and breeding.

He said why this was so was because there would be proper guidance and supervision by the relevant authorities like Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) and the state Agriculture Department of farmers and breeders.

“At the same time, we want farmers and breeders to become agro-entrepreneurs who make farming and breeding business practices rather than just a way of life.

“Farming and breeding can be very lucrative business and can help farmers and breeders go up the economic ladder,” he said when chairing a meeting to discuss the formation of the ADC at the District Office here yesterday.

Salang, who is also Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Art, said the formation of the council throughout all parliamentary constituencies in the country was reached at a recent cabinet meeting.

“The Ministry of Agriculture will coordinate the formation of all 222 committees which will involve politicians, private sectors and non-governmental organisations,” he said.

He said it was of paramount importance that the people themselves must be prepared to undergo a shift in their mindset.

“They must realise that they should not merely be the producers but more importantly they should sell whatever they produce.

“With this in mind, they should depart from the traditional subsistence farming and venture into much bigger ventures either through family or through group participation in order to achieve the required volume for economies of scale,” he said.

He said district like Pakan was already very well established in vegetable farming where not less than 1,000kg of different types of greens were harvested monthly.

However, the farmers concerned could do with wider markets in order to maintain their profitability and sustainability.

He added that it would be very good if they could produce greater varieties in order to cater to a wider market.

“And with the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) there will be a bigger market awaiting them,” he said.

Thus, he said, it was very important that they could make the necessary preparations from now.

Present at the function were the district agriculture officer Alfred Chuat, Sarikei divisional Fama officer Timothy Stephen Buding and Rumah Belor Asap welfare committee chairman Danny Bungan.