PAKAN – Rural infrastructure development in Sarawak continues to shape economic growth, with leaders urging communities to use improved facilities to strengthen modern agriculture and market access.
Pakan State Assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said roads and other basic infrastructure in longhouse areas should support structured and sustainable income activities.
Interior communities hold strong potential for commercial agriculture, especially as demand for agricultural products across the state remains high.
He shared these views during the launch of a house-wide project under the Rural Transformation Project (RTP) worth RM60,000 at Rumah Panjang Awin in Sungai Amut.
According to him, infrastructure projects do more than improve connectivity. They open opportunities for rural residents to take part in broader economic activity.
Tan Sri Mawan also thanked Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg for approving a RM317 million road project linking Ulu Julau with the Pan Borneo Highway.
The road network has expanded access for rural communities and eased the transport of agricultural goods to larger markets, which supports stronger economic activity in the region.
He encouraged residents to make full use of their land by planting commercial crops such as oil palm, coffee, and other suitable produce.
Farmers were also advised to submit applications for garden road construction in groups. A group approach helps ensure projects benefit entire communities instead of individuals.
Along with physical infrastructure, Tan Sri Mawan urged farmers to adopt digital tools when selling their products.
He highlighted cashless platforms such as S Pay, which simplify transactions and connect rural producers with a wider range of buyers.
The focus on modern agriculture in Pakan reflects Sarawak’s wider effort to integrate rural communities into the state’s economic transformation.
Better roads, improved market access, and digital systems are helping farmers shift from subsistence farming to commercial production.
Combining traditional farming knowledge with modern infrastructure and technology supports a stronger rural economy.
Initiatives such as the Rural Transformation Project and major road developments continue to narrow the gap between rural and urban growth, helping communities in areas like Pakan build a stable economic future.
