BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DAA) recorded a decrease in its gross domestic product (GDP) in agriculture for the Tutong district last year.

Tutong’s agriculture and agrifood output dipped to $56.56 million last year from the $61.42 million in 2012, DAA said in a statement.

The figures were made known at a session for the district’s farmers and fishermen conducted by the department. The session was aimed at providing exposure, knowledge and to share best practices regarding the development of the agricultural industry within the sultanate.

Poultry was the main contributor to Tutong’s agriculture and agrifood output at $27.94 million. Hatchery followed at $10.64 million.

The output of others in the sector were as follows: fertilised egg production at $7.02 million; vegetable production, $6.49 million; fruits, $1.32 million; agrifood process industry based on livestock production, $1.46 million; rice, $0.49 million; decorative plants, $.0.49 million; various plant production, $0.35 million; agrifood process industry based on plants, $0.14 million; beef production, $0.16 million; egg production, $0.02 million; and mutton, $0.003 million.

There are about 1,968 entrepreneurs in the agriculture and agrifood sector in Tutong which makes up 35.9 per cent of the country’s agricultural and agrifood producers.

More than 250 farmers attended the discussion held at the Dewan Seri kenangann Hall at the Dewan Kemasyarakatan Daerah Tutong that was attended by the DAA of the director, Hjh Aidah Hj Mohd Hanifah.

The discussion was led by the acting deputy director, Pg Hjh Mariam Pg Hj Omar, who focused on the developments and achievements of the farmers in the district. A question-and-answer session was also held.

The Brunei Times