KUCHING: Sarawak Plantation Agriculture Development (SPAD) Sdn Bhd a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Plantation Berhad signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Citra Widya Education (CWE) Jakarta here yesterday.

KUCHING: In the wake of the discovery of traces of fungicide poison residue called `Carbendazim’ in certain brands of orange juice in the United States, the Health Ministry here will monitor all orange extract drinks imported from Brazil.

PARIT BUNTAR.  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the National Agrofood Policy today, which covers a period of 10 years up to 2020. The policy, which spells out eight key elements to spur and sustain the country's agrofood sector, was approved by the cabinet on Sept 28.

KUCHING: The government will increase research in agriculture to boost food production and also turn the state into the region’s ‘halal’ food hub.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang said the state potential as a major food producing state had not been fully exploited yet.

With an eye on food security and sustainability, the government has set up a special committee to get farmers to rely less on labour and more on machines.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based industry’s secretary-general, Datuk Mohd Hashim Abdullah, said the committee would determine the direction based on the National Farm Mechanisation and Automation Plan (NFMAP) to help farmers operating on a larger scale to ensure profitability.