Jerudong Bazaar Promotes Agricultural Products, Handicrafts
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Advisor of Agrinduz Development Sdn Bhd congratulated the company for, its efforts in working with other agencies to develop the country's agricultural and agro-business industry, which is vital for self-sufficiency and reducing the national dependency on food imports.

Mahmud Morshidi Othman said that Agrinduz, which was registered in September last year, plans to complement the relevant agencies here in multiplying agriculture outputs as well as modernising the whole sector to help turn it into the third engine of growth after oil and gas.

"Agrinduz officials have visited and conducted researches with the Agriculture Ministry in Indonesia and Malaysia in paddy plantations, beans, sugarcanes, red chillies, onions, gingers, as well as mango and dragon fruits among others," he stated

"The company has also conducted a research on the suitability of land for farming with regional experts and its reports have been forwarded to the Agriculture Department along with applications for farm lands early this year.

Mahmud Morshidi was speaking at the opening ceremony for a bazaar on agricultural products and handicrafts yesterday afternoon at Simpang 323 in Jalan Jerudong.

A total of 20 booths by local entrepreneurs at the cottage industry level in handicraft, horticulture, agriculture and fisheries showcased their products. The guest of honour later took a tour and was particularly impressed with the locally conceived ploughing machines to till lands for paddy plantations.

Hj Matzin Salleh, the Director of Agrinduz, revealed that the machines are suitable for ploughing paddy farmlands. "Actually, good soil tillage is very important,_ especially during the first part of soil preparation to plant paddies. The machines have been tested by paddy farmers in Temburong," he said.

The company is exhibiting two types of ploughing machines - the 'Seladang' for clearing as well as preparing land, and the `Turtle' for cutting furrows in the soil and turning it over before seeds can be planted.

In addition, Agrinduz also showcased a new breed of paddy seeds called the 'Marhani', which could be harvested after 120 days of planting. The new breed may triple the current harvest, which would give paddy farming and the economy a boost. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with