Tenom: The vegetable farms in Bukit Layang-Layang, Ulu Paal, here, have the potential to become a high-impact highland agriculture development model in Sabah through strategic cooperation between growers, local communities and government agencies.
State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said more than 20-hectare area operates with minimal use of chemicals and prioritizes organic inputs in producing vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, chili and pepper.
“This area was only developed three years ago, and the operators are working to minimize the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers.
“They rely heavily on organic materials such as chicken tea (composted chicken-based fertiliser). This approach aligns with the sustainable agriculture direction we want to develop in Sabah,” he said.
Jamawi said this during a working visit to the area with the Sabah Agriculture Department before continuing his program with the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) in Kg Binaie here.
He said the Agriculture Department has assisted in developing one hectare of the farm, while the rest developed by the operators who rent land from the local villagers at RM100 to RM150 per hectare per month.
“What is encouraging is that 100 per cent of the workers on this farm are local residents receiving the minimum wage of RM1,700, including EPF contributions.
“This is the collaborative model we want to see – investors, operators and local communities growing together,” he said.
Jamawi, who is also Melalap Assemblyman, said highland farming in the area could also serve as an alternative source of highland vegetable production to Kundasang, offering consumers more choices while strengthening Sabah’s food supply chain.
“In the past, we depended solely on Kundasang, but Layang-Layang can now serve as a new production centre.
“Consumers now have an additional option for high-quality highland vegetables,” he said.
Jamawi also confirmed that his Ministry has received several applications to upgrade agricultural roads and to build rain shelters in the area.
“Rain shelters are extremely important, especially for crops like tomatoes that are highly sensitive to unpredictable weather. They help reduce disease, control pest attacks and ensure more consistent yields,” he said.
He hopes development in the area can continue and be strengthened through the support of the Agriculture Department and the active involvement of local operators.
“We want this area to grow as a high-yield agricultural zone. The Agriculture Department will continue monitoring quality through sampling to ensure the produce meets the required MRL levels,” he said.
After his visit to Bukit Layang-Layang, Jamawi continued with an inspection program at a poultry farm.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong and Sabah Agriculture Director Datuk Jifrin Mohamad.
