Sibu Tales : Canola Island (Yew Chai Doh)

 Sg, Bidut was settled by the Foochow migrants from 1902 onwards. Some had come with the first three batches of the pioneers while others were later arrivals.

Today Sg. Bidut has another name because of the large amount of vegetables the area produces every day. It is known as the Canola Island or Yew Chai Doh.

Many of the residents have the surname Tiong, Wong and Lau, among several others.

When the settlers grew wealthier they built churches and schools, jetties and better foot paths. Being one of the nearest villages to Sibu, there are several ferries running from Sibu to Sg. Bidut, and from different points too.

Sg, Bidut was originally a rice growing area but later rubber took over. In more recent years when the urban population of sibu exploded, Sg. Bidut became the centre of market gardening. Vegetables grow well here and they are easily transported to Sibu for sale. Cabbages, sweet potatoes, brinjals, mustard greens, petola, long beans,turnips, lettuce and other vegetables grow abundantly.

Chickens and ducks, eggs are also the farm products from Sg. Bidut.

Wong Meng Lei - vegetables growing under protective netting.  Looks like a mile square of vegetable plots, but these plots are actually made up of little poly bags supporting individual vegetable plant.

While the land is rather low lying, the farmers are able to sustain their farms and produce well by using newer varieties and methods of cultivation.

Some farmers rent the land from the owners, while others are owner farmers. Today they have formed a farmers' organization to protect themselves and to remain united as a stronger force. They also share knowledge, and learn about the latest farming methods and increase their scientific knowledge.

More than 100 years after the first pioneers opened up the land in Sg. Bidut for agriculture, floods and pests continue to be their greatest challenges. Today, 300 of the farmers are members of the Sibu Vegetable Planters' Association. They have applied to the government for more land and also help from the Agriculture Department.