KOTA BELUD: Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry is expected to launch the “Kitchen Garden” concept early next year as a key approach to expanding rural community participation in small-scale agricultural activities.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the initiative aims to open up wide opportunities for villagers to grow crops within their own home compounds at low cost, while providing direct benefits to people’s daily lives.
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He said the Kitchen Garden concept was designed as a practical platform to reach as many members of the community as possible, particularly farmers, smallholders, fishermen, and rural entrepreneurs, many of whom are involved in the agricultural sector.
Jamawi said discussions with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary are currently underway to fine-tune the implementation of the concept so that it can be carried out in an orderly and effective manner.
“God willing, with proper planning, the Kitchen Garden concept can be launched early next year,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the PMD Program and the Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival at the Datuk Musbah Jamli Open Hall, here, Sunday.
From his first day reporting for duty as Minister, Jamawi said his main aspiration has been to assist rural communities and to uplift the dignity and wellbeing of villagers who depend on the agricultural sector as a source of income. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend the event and to meet rural entrepreneurs in person, whom he described as having strong spirit and determination to succeed in business.
He also congratulated two state agricultural agencies – the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) and the Sabah State Land Development Board (SLDB) – for their initiatives and active involvement in developing rural entrepreneurs.
Jamawi said participants in the program not only received equipment assistance worth up to RM6,000, but were also provided with ongoing support, including more structured and effective product marketing guidance, including through digital approaches.
He said his background as a farmer and smallholder enables him to deeply understand the hardships, challenges, and needs of rural communities, whether as farmers, hawkers, fishermen, retailers or livestock breeders.
That experience, he said, will be fully utilized in efforts to develop rural communities, particularly those involved in the agricultural sector, in order to improve the well-being and standard of living of the people.
Meanwhile, Jamawi hoped that continued cooperation among relevant agencies and professional parties will be further strengthened to drive the development and well-being of rural communities.
He also recorded his appreciation to all parties involved, including the ministry, implementing agencies, and the Organizing Committee, for the success of the PMD Program and the Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival.
Also present were Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong; Principal Assistant Secretary of the Economic Development Division of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Farah Ahmad; former Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Musbah Jamli; General Manager of the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) Sabdil Tanjong; representative of the General Manager of the Sabah State Land Development Board (LKTNS) Fauzie Jamlee; and Managing Director of E-lokal Sdn Bhd and Administrator of the Desamall Digital Marketing Program (PMD) Ahmad Shah Wahid.
