Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will accelerate the modernisation of its agriculture sector through automation and smart farming, positioning the agrofood industry as a sustainable and resilient key driver of the state’s economy, said State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Ja’afar.
He said the effort will be driven by increased public investment, technology adoption and stronger youth participation, as the state moves to strengthen food security while expanding agriculture’s contribution to economic growth.
In his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly, Jamawi said agriculture accounts for 14.5 per cent of Sabah’s gross domestic product, valued at RM12.2 billion in 2025, and remains among the sectors with the greatest potential for expansion across the value chain.
“Agriculture must evolve beyond traditional practices. By embracing technology, mechanisation and innovation, the sector can generate higher incomes, create skilled jobs and drive sustainable growth,” he said.
Under the State Budget 2026, a total of RM559.85 million has been allocated for agriculture, comprising RM416.76 million in operating expenditure and RM143.09 million for development projects, reflecting the state’s commitment to modernising production while maintaining essential services.
Key initiatives include the expansion of smart farming technologies such as IoT-enabled greenhouses, container-based vegetable production and automated irrigation systems, alongside research into climate-resilient crops, including high-yield paddy tolerant to drought, floods and saline conditions.
Jamawi said RM430,000 has been allocated in 2026 specifically for mechanisation and smart farming to boost productivity and reduce reliance on manual labour.
Efforts are also being intensified to optimise land use and increase domestic food production, including the rehabilitation of 67 hectares of abandoned paddy fields in Bongawan, irrigation upgrades covering 445 hectares, and the development of MD2 pineapple cultivation in Kimanis, where 4.5 hectares have been planted out of a planned 15 hectares.
Youth participation remains central to the transformation agenda. Jamawi said programmes such as Agropreneur Muda, which offers grants of up to RM30,000 to individuals aged 18 to 40, alongside mentor-mentee schemes and training in smart farming and digital marketing, are aimed at attracting young entrepreneurs into high-value agriculture.
“We want young people to see agriculture as a viable, innovative and profitable sector, not as a last resort,” he said, adding that digital platforms and e-commerce will be promoted to help agrofood entrepreneurs scale up and access wider markets.
Beyond crop production, Jamawi said fisheries and aquaculture are integral to Sabah’s agrofood and blue economy strategy.
Support includes microcredit under the i-NELAYAN programme, allowances for inland fishermen, expansion of the Tagal conservation system, and continued investment under the Blue Economy initiative, which has allocated RM900,000 for artificial reefs, fish aggregating devices, GPS buoys and fish finders.
He said downstream fisheries development remains a priority, with RM1 million allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan and similar programmes to continue under the 13th Malaysia Plan, while private sector investment in seafood processing is encouraged.
On livestock, Jamawi said the Sabah Goat Breeders Economic Empowerment Programme (MEPKAS) will be implemented with an allocation of RM1.5 million, targeting youth through the provision of goats, equipment and training. Free livestock courses will continue at the Tuaran Veterinary Management Centre.
Flood mitigation and irrigation infrastructure remain critical to safeguarding agricultural productivity. Jamawi cited the RM76 million Lido flood mitigation project in Kota Kinabalu, which is 89.85 per cent complete and on track for completion by June 2026, as well as river upgrading works in Tawau and proposed projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
He added that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage recorded more than 99 per cent utilisation of federal allocations in 2024 and 2025, although funding constraints persist for farm road upgrades and rural infrastructure.
Addressing governance issues, Jamawi said amendments to the Animal Enactment 2015 are being drafted to improve farm licensing clarity, while discussions continue to resolve longstanding land issues, including the Nabawan settlement scheme and FELCRA’s Parcel A in Banggi.
At the community level, Jamawi said initiatives such as the Kitchen Garden (Kebun Dapur) programme will be rolled out to encourage household-scale food production and strengthen food self-sufficiency.
