MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER – Close collaboration between Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) with government and private agencies would provide a major contribution to the agricultural industry.

Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said, a number of agreements had been signed earlier between UMS and agencies such as Felda Global Ventures Bhd (FGV) and Hafiz Farm Sdn Bhd would benefit the agricultural industry in this country.

“Such cooperation is in line with the efforts to help the state government to develop the agro-based industry in Sabah,” he said.

According to him, in UMS  there were a few institutions and centres that played an important role especially research in the field of agriculture.

“Oil Palm Research Centre (SPOR) operating in UMS for example, is the most suitable for oil palm activities in Sandakan.

“The latest results such as new discovery of new strains and troubleshooting of rhinoceros beetle attack would surely help farmers throughout this country,” he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said, UMS researchers was constantly looking for the latest techniques and innovations to improve the productivity of agriculture, livestock farming and food.

He added, recently UMS researchers were able to produce pineapple tissue culture and the breeding of mangrove crabs.

“This will benefit farmers and fishermen in Sabah especially, and in turn help improve food sources,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were the Chairman of the Board of Directors of UMS, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi; Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Zakaria Edris; President of the Sandakan Municipal Council, Datuk Ir. James Wong;  Member of Parliament for Libaran, Datuk Juslie Ajirol; Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) Sekong, Datuk Samsudin Yahya; ADUN Sukau, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, and Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture (FPL), Prof. Dr. Wan Mohamad Wan Othman. – (fl)