Mini rice estates to boost Sabah’s rice self-sufficiency

Pic from Jamawi's Facebook page

KOTA BELUD: Sabah is set to introduce a mini rice estate approach to boost the state’s rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) while bringing idle agricultural land back into productive use.

Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the initiative was discussed during an engagement session between the state government and the Federal Ministry of Economy, alongside various agriculture-related agencies.

Jamawi said the session, which he chaired earlier in the day, was attended by the Director of the Agriculture Division at the Federal Ministry of Economy, Datuk Zul Hadi Ahmad, and representatives from several agricultural agencies.

He said the discussion focused on plans to develop about 2,000 hectares of idle land in Sabah through the mini estate approach.

“We discussed developing about 2,000 hectares of idle land through the mini estate concept,” he told reporters after visiting the Timbang Menggaris Rice Seed Production Centre here today.

Jamawi said the initiative is expected to receive funding support from the Federal Government through the Ministry of Economy.

“With the mini estate approach, and with funding from the Federal Government through the Ministry of Economy, we will be able to develop more idle land across the state.

“More importantly, our farmers will be able to generate yields and work on land that has long remained idle without cultivation and without providing them any income,” he said.

He added that the Sabah government would continue strengthening cooperation with the federal government to advance the state’s padi industry.

“We will do our best for the people of Sabah and continue to enhance collaboration between the state and federal governments in developing Sabah’s rice industry,” he said.

Also present were Pintasan assemblyman Datuk Fairuz Renddan; Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS) deputy chairman Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli; MAFFI deputy permanent secretary Awang Dzulkernain Awang Hassan; Agriculture Department director Datuk Ts Jifrin Hj Mohamad; and LPBS general manager Datuk Dr Ramle Haji Kasin.

Officials from the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) implementation units and agencies under MAFFI and the federal government also attended the programme.