Mcfarm Assets, Ops Handed To Brunei
Written by James Kon
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Bandar Seri Begawan – New ambitions have been set for McFarm, to
embark on programs in collaboration between Mitsubishi Corporation and
the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, based on field and
farmer-oriented approaches in order to provide local farmers with the
latest scientific technology and best agricultural practices.
The new aspiration come to light after McFarm, a subsidiary under
Mitsubishi Corporation that was built to transfer modern agriculture
into Brunei Darussalam since 1978, was handed over to the Department of
Agriculture under MIPR, following the handing-over ceremony to His
Majesty’s Government yesterday.
It was revealed that the first program would be soil investigation
currently being carried out and is still at initial stage. The other
scope of work includes conservation of soil fertility, prevention of
soil erosion, training and education of farmers and on the job staff
training.
Under the deed signed yesterday with the Department of Agriculture,
MIPR, Mitsubishi Corporation and McFarm have agreed to return the
farmland and transfer the assets, employees and operations of McFarm to
the Department of Agriculture by end of this month. The Department of
Agriculture will continue operations of the farm.
Although Farm operations will be under the supervision of the
Department of Agriculture, Mitsubishi Corp has agreed to explore
further possible collaborative schemes with the Department of
Agriculture and continue discussions in laying out the blueprint of new
initiatives. On the years of contribution by McFarm, guest of honour
Pehin Orang Kaya Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan
Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Abu Bakar, the Minister of Industry and Primary
Resources said “The establishment of McFarm by Mitsubishi Corporation,
has made considerable contributions to the development of the
agriculture sector in Brunei. in its preliminary effort, the government
through the Department of Agriculture has worked closely with McFarm to
develop livestock production.”
He added: “During the course of implementation, the initial
memorandum of Agreement had been further revised and amended in 1994
and 2005 in line with the current development of agriculture with
greater focus on knowledge-based agriculture, high technology vegetable
production and manpower development and to cover broader areas of
cooperation as well as to venture into the secondary industry.”
He said, “Mc Farm has always been very cooperative and understanding
to the needs of current development of Brunei Darussalam when the
project on the establishment of Agro Technology park was first mooted
by the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Management of McFarm
had willingly returned a portion of 485.8 hectares of McFarm land,
measuring 263.30 hectares to the government. This was to support the
initiatives in promoting more agribusiness-oriented activities in the
country.
The minister highlighted, “the handing over of the remaining area of
land which is very timely in the light of the development of Brunei
Halal Brand project It would be more meaningful if Japan continues to
participate in the development of our halal industry such as by
encouraging investment of Japanese companies in the production of halal
ingredients and in research and development.”
Signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government was Dato Paduka Haji
Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, Permanent Secretary of Industry and
Primary Resources with Dyg Hajah Normah Suria Hayati binti Pehin
Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Hj Awang Mohd Jamil
al-Sufri, the Acting Director of Agriculture.
Signing on behalf of Mitsubishi Corp. were Mr Kenji Ota, General
Manager of Brunei Project Unit, Mitsubishi Corp. Japan and Mr Osamu
Ito, Director of McFarm. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Pehin
Orang Kaya Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya with Mr Kazuyuki Mori
Senior Vice President, Division COO, Natural Gas Business Group
Mitsubishi Corp. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
