KUCHING: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen the agricultural sector and rural economy through the use of technology, mechanisation, innovation, and modern agricultural approaches to increase the people's income.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said that the utilisation of digital technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) can enhance productivity and production efficiency, thereby unlocking immense potential for the Bisaya community, particularly the youth.

According to him, young people do not necessarily need to leave their villages to pursue their futures, as the agriculture, food, agropreneurship, and local resource-based enterprise sectors can become lucrative careers supported by knowledge, technology, and market access.

“At the same time, I encourage the Bisaya community, especially entrepreneurs and youth, to capitalize on financing assistance, training, marketing, and entrepreneur development programs provided by the government and its agencies.

“Let us not view aid merely as assistance, but treat it as capital that we can grow,” he said.

He said this in a text speech read by the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Badudun Badapun 2026 Ceremony held at the UNIFOR Complex here on Saturday.

In the meantime, Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari noted that education remains a vital field in ensuring Sarawakian children have the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints through the Free Higher Education Scheme (FTES), which encompasses 64 study programs across four state-owned higher learning institutions.

He added that eligible Bisaya youth must seize this opportunity by choosing fields with promising prospects, subsequently returning to contribute to the development of their families, communities, and Sarawak.

He explained that this aims to produce a Bisaya generation that possesses not only academic qualifications, but also expertise in technology, entrepreneurship, management, and emerging fields required by the future economy.

Also present were Deputy Chairman of the Sarawak State Public Service Commission and Advisor to the Sarawak Bisaya Association Datu Antonio Kahti Galis, Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak and Chairman of the Sarawak Bisaya Association Kuching City Branch Datu Jack Liam, and Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Julin Alen. — UKASnews