Sabah to launch Kitchen Garden Initiative targeting 5,000 households

                           (Photo and statement from Sabah Information Department) 

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), will launch the Kitchen Garden Initiative on Feb 15, targeting the participation of 5,000 heads of households (KIR) statewide.

Sabah MAFFI Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the initiative will be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at 10am in Tuaran. 

The programme is aimed at helping residents cope with the rising cost of living while strengthening household economies through community-level food production.

According to him, the Kitchen Garden Initiative is implemented under the Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER) programme, utilising home yards, open spaces and recycled containers for small-scale agricultural activities.

“This initiative is intended to raise awareness among Sabahans on making use of available space around their homes for small-scale farming and livestock rearing,” he said.

He added that participants are encouraged to grow crops and rear livestock such as chickens, ducks or fish, depending on the space available. 

While the initial target is 5,000 households this year, public participation is expected to exceed the set target.

Jamawi said this during an interview on the Morning Kinabalu segment with DJs Felix and DeeDee on Kupi Kupi FM 96.3 on Thursday.

“The initiative covers the crop, fisheries and livestock sub-sectors, and also encourages the use of modern agricultural technology to boost production and strengthen food security,” he said.

Jamawi explained that the initiative takes into account the diverse living conditions of residents, with several kitchen garden models designed for homes with limited space as well as those with larger areas. The programme will be implemented continuously throughout the year.

He added that the state government is also planning roadshows across all parliamentary constituencies in Sabah to promote the initiative and make it easier for residents to obtain planting materials and livestock through relevant agencies.

“Agencies such as the Agriculture Department, the Veterinary Services Department, the Fisheries Department, Ko-Nelayan, SAFMA and the Rubber Industry Board are not only involved in supplying agricultural inputs, but also provide hands-on guidance to the public on farming and livestock-rearing methods,” he said.

Jamawi said the integrated approach is expected to help increase Sabah’s self-sufficiency level (SSL), while strengthening food security and supporting sustainable economic growth in the state.

Meanwhile, the Melalap assemblyman also said that will offer special discounts on the purchase of agricultural and livestock inputs as an incentive for the public to join the “Kitchen Garden” initiative.

He added that the discounts aim to reduce start-up costs for people interested in cultivating crops or rearing livestock in their residential areas.

“As this programme is not based on full subsidies, we will provide special discounts to ensure the public has easier and cheaper access to agricultural raw materials to start their own gardens or livestock activities.

“The offers under this initiative include price reductions for the purchase of plant seedlings, chicks, ducks, quail and fish fry." 

To ensure urban residents living in high-rise housing are not left out of urban farming, MAFFI is collaborating strategically with local authorities (PBT) to provide community agricultural land plots.

Also present were Jamawi’s wife Datin Zainatunnisa Ibrahim and MAFFI Senior Assistant Secretary Shariffah Aznoor Jap.