By Liza Mohd
The Belait Agriculture Department recorded a production value of $33 million in 2004, whereby $16 million represents poultry livestock commodity.
This revealed that the poultry livestock activity is an important part of the industry in the Belait district compared with other agricultural activities, said the Acting Chairman of Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board, Pg Hj Mohd Ali bin Pg Hj Othman.
He was the chief guest during the launching of the Belait District Agriculture Show 2005 in conjunction with His Majesty's 59th birthday celebrations.
According to the Agriculture Department, the quality of poultry livestock industry and eggs in the country is improving and is able to withstand the competition from the foreign agricultural industry, he said.
The annual agricultural exhibition this year is held at the vicinity of the Brunei Shell housing area in Jalan Maulana. It started yesterday afternoon and will go on until Monday next week.
The one week exhibition aims to highlight small and medium entrepreneurs active role in agriculture production and food processing, and existing opportunities, said Chairman Awg Latif bin Hj Ahmad, Chief of Belait District Agriculture Development Unit.
The chief guest hoped the Agriculture Exhibition would establish strategic business partnership among entrepreneurs or participants with other potential entrepreneurs, showcase products and local agriculture production in the district, grab the attention of residents in other districts and attract interest among business vendors and visitors from neighbouring countries.
Pg Hj Mohd Ali presented prizes to the winners in the Bonsai, Orchid, Cactus, Indoor and Outdoor Tree and vegetable crop competitions.
He viewed the exhibitions and paddy pounding competition.
The exhibition has a stall selling local rice, harvested this year and processed at Wasan paddy factory. It is called the 'new rice'.
In the food sector, the committee has invited Sugarbun and Ideal Café & Grill, the Trijaya Jerudong Equestrian Park in the horse riding event, and Syarikat Hussyn Rahman in the camel riding event.
- Borneo Bulletin
(27th July 2005)
