Befr - A Model For Rural Development Initiative - Ahmad Zahid

SERIAN, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The adaptation of the agro and ecotourism approach used in the Borneo Empurau Farm and Resort’s (BEFR) here should serve as a model for other states to develop their rural areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.

He said other states should emulate Sarawak in its rural development initiatives, such as the BEFR which aims to transform rural and village areas with empurau breeding and agrotourism activities.

"The BEFR is one of the examples that can be brought home (by ministers or state executive council members) to their respective states to be implemented,” he told reporters after visiting the BEFR here.

 Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister (KKDW) visited the farm together with 110 members of rural executive councillors and ministers coordination meeting (Mexclub).

Also present were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang and Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

The BEFR covers ​​26 hectares and located approximately 50 kilometers from Kuching.

It was established in 2021 with the aim of increasing the supply of highly-priced wild empurau fish which was decreasing in Sarawak.

Empurau fish from Sarawak are exported to foreign markets such as China, Taiwan, Japan and Europe, and also become a source of income for the state.

BEFR has so far developed a fertilisation centre capable of producing about 5,000 empurau hatchlings per year. 

The resort has 26 chalets and an 18-door-long house. it can accommodate about 2,000 visitors at one time.

-- BERNAMA