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By DayakDaily Team KUCHING, Nov 6: Two community-based projects worth RM5.5 million will be implemented in Kapit under the High Impact Community Project (HICP), a collaborative initiative aimed at uplifting rural livelihoods through innovation and sustainable enterprise. The symbolic launch of the HICP was held in conjunction with the opening of the new Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) office in Kapit today, witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Minister of Works and URDA Chairman Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, senior State officials, and representatives from the Bumiputera Agency Steering Unit (TERAJU) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Under this initiative, URDA will oversee 60 participants across two project sites. Funded by TERAJU with the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) as strategic partner and USM as implementing agency, the projects aim to build community-based economic resilience in the Upper Rajang region. The projects include the Integration of Duck Egg, Banana and Azolla Farming project in Kampung Bukit Goram and Kampung Nanga Yong Ulu, involving 10 participants; and the Production and Commercialisation of madu kelulut lestari (sustainable stingless bee honey) project in Kampung Tatai Mas Raweng and Kampung Selirik, involving 50 participants. The HICP is designed to empower rural and B40 communities by integrating inclusive economic activities that strengthen the local value chain and promote sustainable income generation. Through research collaboration, innovation transfer and business facilitation, the programme aims to deliver long-term socio-economic impact within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) region. Similar initiatives are being implemented under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) and the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA), involving pineapple and coffee commercialisation respectively. The HICP also aligns with RECODA’s Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2022–2026, which identifies 180 potential projects focusing on tourism, agriculture and forestry, as well as small and medium enterprise (SME) development. —DayakDaily
