improve the state’s Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) for food crops.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said under the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) Development Plan, the agricultural sector remains one of three key pillars driving the state’s economic growth.
“This reflects the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that food security remains
strong.
“As we know, food security has become a key agenda at both the global and national
levels,” he said, noting that climate change, economic uncertainty, supply chain
disruptions and the rising cost of living require a new approach that is practical, resilient
and inclusive.
levels,” he said, noting that climate change, economic uncertainty, supply chain
disruptions and the rising cost of living require a new approach that is practical, resilient
and inclusive.
“Therefore, the agriculture, fisheries and food industry sector will continue to be the
backbone of Sabah’s socio-economic development,” he said at the launch of the MAFFI
Kitchen Garden Roadshow at the Padang Istiadat, here today.
backbone of Sabah’s socio-economic development,” he said at the launch of the MAFFI
Kitchen Garden Roadshow at the Padang Istiadat, here today.
The Chief Minister said several initiatives are being implemented by the Sabah Agriculture Department, the lead agency for the development of the crop subsector including the development of Permanent Food Crop Production Zones in 15 permanent
food production parks across the state.
food production parks across the state.
In addition, RM3 million has been allocated to the Sabah Padi and Rice Board (LPBS)
for operating expenses, while RM15 million has been set aside for the procurement of
harvesting and ploughing machinery, he said.
“These initiatives aim to make Sabah a sustainable and competitive rice producer, while
strengthening food security with a target Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) of 60 per cent by
2030,” he added.
Hajiji is confident that the state’s three economic pillars—industry, agriculture and
tourism will continue to expand over the next five years under the SMJ 2.0 direction.
tourism will continue to expand over the next five years under the SMJ 2.0 direction.
However, he said that food security is not the responsibility of large-scale farms and
projects alone.
projects alone.
“It also begins at the grassroots level, starting with our own home gardens. In this
context, the Kitchen Garden initiative under the Rural Economic Revolution programme
is a strategy that not only focuses on food production, but also emphasises reducing the
cost of living and building a more self-reliant and sustainable community,” he said.
The Kitchen Garden Roadshow, to be carried out statewide, aims to ensure the initiative
is fully utilised by the people, including those in urban, rural and interior areas.
“Therefore, I want to see Tuaran emerge as a ‘Model Kitchen Garden District’, where
this initiative is not only carried out, but truly becomes part of the community’s way of
life.
this initiative is not only carried out, but truly becomes part of the community’s way of
life.
“I hope every village, housing area and community will take this opportunity to cultivate
a kitchen garden according to their own capacity and creativity,” he said.
a kitchen garden according to their own capacity and creativity,” he said.
Hajiji said the Kitchen Garden Tour adopts a mentor–mentee approach, in which
successful and experienced entrepreneurs will guide and advise local communities.
successful and experienced entrepreneurs will guide and advise local communities.
“This approach not only ensures the continuous transfer of knowledge and best
practices, but also strengthens implementation at the grassroots level and builds a
community-based support network,” he said.
practices, but also strengthens implementation at the grassroots level and builds a
community-based support network,” he said.
He also urged youths in the state, especially in Tuaran, to seize the opportunities offered
through the tour series to learn smart farming techniques that incorporate innovation and
technology, which can generate additional income.
through the tour series to learn smart farming techniques that incorporate innovation and
technology, which can generate additional income.
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