| Aziz Idris |

TEN local youth have enrolled in the AgroBiz project to develop 10 hectares of paddy fields at the Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Agro-Technology Campus in Kampong Wasan utilising high-yield rice varieties and modern machinery.

AgroBiz is a collaborative project between LiveWIRE Brunei and IBTE under the Ministry of Education. The scheme will run for two cycles, commencing from July 2019 to October 2020.

An induction programme and signing ceremony was held yesterday at the IBTE Agro-Technology Campus to formally welcome the first batch of students.

The signings were witnessed by IBTE Acting CEO Hajah Mariah binti Haji Abdul Manaf and Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP) In-Country Value Manager and LiveWIRE Brunei Chairperson Hajah Rosita binti Haji Hassan.

LiveWIRE Programme Director Pengiran Redzuan bin Pengiran Haji Abbas, Head of IBTE School of Agro-Technology and Applied Sciences Zaitunah binti Haji Kurus and Acting Principal of IBTE Satellite Campus Dr Suhaimi bin Haji Abdul Wahab were also present.

The induction and signing ceremony were a complement to the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the launching of AgroBiz on January 23 and the groundbreaking ceremony on April 18.

Hajah Rosita said the project was aimed at producing skilled and trained agropreneurs – people with both agricultural and business skills.

She explained that LiveWIRE Brunei would be providing the best infrastructure and training for the participants, including the use of drones for fertiliser spraying, organic and eco-friendly materials such as the cultivation of companion crops (sunflower or saffron) as a natural pesticide, vertical rice dryers, and harvesting rainfall to be channelled into water reservoirs.

Apart from supporting the Brunei government’s pledge to build climate resilience for food security, Hajah Rosita said the participants would be equipped with entrepreneurial skills which include admission to the LiveWire Bright Ideas scheme, a leadership camp in Temburong and involvement in the Business Plan Series.

“In addition, participants will also be provided with the best technical and commercial training conducted by local and international experts in the subject matter,” she said, adding, “After their training is completed, LiveWIRE Brunei will provide funds for the participants to start their businesses through the Business Start-up Funding Scheme – an interest-free loan scheme with flexible payments for up to three years.”

Meanwhile, Dr Suhaimi in his remarks said the signing ceremony was a response to calls from the Brunei government for the development of agriculture in the Sultanate.

“This field is not only important towards the strengthening of the nation’s export prospects, but it also contributes to the national productivity and provides career opportunities for youth to venture into the lucrative agro-businesses,” he said.

Dr Suhaimi also noted the low number of local youth venturing into agriculture, due to misconceptions about farming and agriculture business, but said big projects such as AgroBiz were likely to change the mindsets of more youth to venture into farming.