Ewon delivers rice harvesting machinery in Kg Tambatuon

29 November 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA BELUD: Kadamaian State Assemblyman and Minister of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development, Datuk Ewon Benedick, delivered a rice harvesting machinery to farmers in Kg.Tombotuon, here.

Ewon handed over the rice harvesting machinery, also known as a mini combine harvester to the Chairman of the Organic Paddy Farmers Association, Margerat Darusin, in the village, yesterday.

The machinery was built by Tonibung, the CREATE Borneo Innovation Centre, in Kampung Nampasan Penampang, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) led by Adrian Lasimbang, using special funding allocated by Ewon as the minister, channeled through the Sabah Native Voices Association.

The allocation of RM50,000 was used to build the rice harvesting machinery and grain drying equipment, as well as to conduct training workshops for the operation of the machinery.

Ewon stated that it was a sign of his support for the innovation centre in developing the necessary agricultural machinery for the people and helping to meet the needs of rice farmers in Tambatuon.

"When launching the organic paddy planting programme in Kg Tambatuon, I was informed that one of their challenges was the lack of rice harvesting machinery. Then, earlier this year, I visited CREATE Borneo, an NGO that develops various innovations, including rice harvesting machinery.

Therefore, I allocated a certain amount of funding to this centre to develop innovative rice harvesting machinery specifically for the rice farming community in Kg Tambatuon. I congratulate Adrian Lasimbang as the innovator who ensures the success of this necessity," he said.

In addition to the delivery of the machinery, Ewon also presented a touchpoint contribution of RM5,000 to the Kg Tambatuon Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) for a community maintenance and repair programme for a damaged suspension bridge in the village.