Sabah revives native seed preservation in conjunction with Int'l Day For Biological Diversity

 By Olivia Miwil - May 22, 2022 @ 3:55pm

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (fifth left) receives the seeds from 2021 Unduk Ngadau Maya Hejnowska (fourth right) during the launching of Seed Spiritual Revival programme at the KDCA open hall area. - NSTP/Olivia Miwil.

PENAMPANG: Sabah hopes that the revival to preserve and utilise native seeds could go towards preventing useful plants from becoming extinct.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the programme, which is being held for the second year in conjunction with Kaamatan or harvest festival, has thus far collected 137 types of seeds or seedlings from 25 districts in the state.

"Seeds are the basis of life for a plant or crop. Without it we cannot cultivate and reap the crops.

"With the rapid development of new varieties, plant cultivators around the world are racing to produce super varieties, including "genetically modified organisms" (GMO).

"Thus, our native plants around us are no longer being given attention, although these plants have their uses and is important to the local community. Probably some of them are already facing extinction," he said.

Kitingan said this at the launch of the Seed's Spiritual Revival programme at the KDCA open hall here in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls today.

"Thus, our native plants around us are no longer being given attention, although these plants have their uses and is important to the local community. Probably some of them are already facing extinction," he said.

Kitingan said this at the launch of the Seed's Spiritual Revival programme at the KDCA open hall here in conjunction with the International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls today.