FARMERS and fishermen should not rely too much on Government aid and must change their “subsidy mentality,” says Sarawak agriculture modernisation and regional development minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom.
He said it would be more appropriate to give such assistance or incentives to those who are just venturing into a career in agriculture.
“If they continue to rely on subsidies, they will forever be dependent on assistance. That should not be the way forward for us.
“Initially, I had thought that we should provide assistance, but it cannot go on forever, be it for farmers or fishermen,” he said in his speech at the Aco Lepa Ajau Birami Gawai recording by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Rundi said he understood that the fishermen would not be able to go to the sea for a few months in a year because of the monsoon season, but they should be prepared for that by looking at other sources of income during the period.
“If assistance is to be given, we have to ensure the aid is really effective and it achieves the intended objectives,” he added. – May 14, 2022
