In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister emphasized that expanding the use of available surface and groundwater resources remains a top priority in transforming the country’s agricultural sector.

He explained that areas that were previously unproductive are now turning into thriving centers of agricultural activity through strategic irrigation initiatives.

He cited the Belat River area as a prominent example, highlighting the rapid progress of large-scale fruit production development projects underway with the effective participation of private sector investors.

The Prime Minister noted that these projects are reshaping the local agricultural landscape and creating new economic opportunities for surrounding communities.

He said: “Large-scale fruit farming development projects are being implemented with the participation of private sector investors. This will significantly support efforts to ensure food self-sufficiency.”

Belat River

The Belat River is a significant waterway in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, historically serving as a vital transportation and trade route for local Iban communities. It flows through dense rainforests and has played a key role in the region’s logging and agricultural history, connecting inland areas to larger river systems and the coast.