KUCHING: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has asked the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (Tropi) to conduct a scientific research if napier grass can be grown on soil that is suitable for sago palm cultivation.
He said the grass can be an additional source of income for the sago smallholders as it can be converted into biomass for the production of pellets to generate electricity.
"I went to a factory in Bintulu recently that produces grass pellets for export to the United Kingdom to generate electricity," he said at a gala dinner held in conjunction with the opening of the 15th International Sago Symposium last night.
Abang Johari said the factory produces 2.5 million tonnes of grass a year from its 324-ha farm in Bintulu.
The premier said Tropi can do research if napier grass can be grown in between sago palm trees should the soil is found to be suitable.
He said the sago smallholders will benefit if they also plant napier grass in between sago palm trees.
"In other word, if you have sago palm trees and in between you can plant napier grass and then you have an additional income to the farmers," he said, adding that it is not just for the pellets, but also as animal feed.
The premier also asked Tropi to work with the state Public Works Department (JKR) on the construction of roads on peatland.
He added that he had already asked JKR to conduct a study on the feasibility of building elevated roads on pealand, instead of using the conventional methods that have incurred high maintenance cost in the long run.
"The study can certain data on the quality of peatland as well as how we manage the peat land when we build elevated roads," he said.
Abang Johari said he is prepared to provide funds for TROPI to conduct the study on peatland.
On the symposium, Abang Johari said the state government has established the Sago and Nipah Development Board (SNDB) to strengthen the sago industry.
He said the aim is to modernise production, promote mechanization and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers while enhancing Sarawak's green economy.
He said sago palm is an important economic asset with applications in various industries, from food production to biodegradable packaging, animal feed, biofertilisers and biofuels.
"With the growing demand for natural, gluten-free products, sago is becoming increasingly popular with health-conscious consumers and a preferred choice in global markets," he added.
Abang Johari said sago is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Melanau community, particularly in Dalat and Mukah, adding that Sarawak exported 35,000 metric tons of sago starch, valued at RM113 million, to destinations like Peninsular Malaysia and Japan, last year.
"Despite this, our export volume has stagnated due to inconsistent supply of raw materials," he said, adding that Sarawak contributes 2.5 per cent or 62,000 hectares out of the global sago plantations.
The two-day symposium was attended by 250 international delegates consisting of researchers, scientists, academia, industry players and representatives from the state and federal governments.
It was organised by Tropi, in collaboration with the Malaysian Peat Society,Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and the Japan Society of Sago Palm Studies.