SIMANGGANG: Sri Aman Division will be a trial site for new paddy field irrigation technology in Sarawak.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the technology is based on a hydro-pump system using river water that is pumped upwards before being channeled to the rice fields.

He added that the water will then flow by gravity, thus also generating electricity which provides two results simultaneously.

"With that, we get two benefits, firstly electricity and secondly rice field irrigation. This is what we will try to implement in the urban areas of Sri Aman Division, using technology that provides two results simultaneously," he said.

He said this when opening the Batang Lupar 2025 Benak Festival at the Sri Aman Riverbank on Saturday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that with Sarawak now starting to focus on planting rice and other crops, these agricultural products need to be shared with countries that want to import.
Therefore, he said, the establishment of AirBorneo is an important step to ensure that agricultural exports can be delivered since there are agricultural products that need to be exported immediately.

"For this reason, we need to follow new ways including selling our goods using new approaches. That is why we established AirBorneo, not only to carry passengers, but also cargo. These are our methods, and it can market our products faster to the market," he explained.

Also present were Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Sri Aman Division Resident, Mahra Salleh, heads of departments and other guests of honour. - UKASnews