Tenom: The State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry called on the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) to continuously improve its service delivery efficiency and effectiveness for rubber smallholders.
“This is to ensure the community can share in the State and nation’s prosperity,” said its Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar when officiating the Bantuan Musim Tengkujuh handover ceremony to 150 rubber smallholders at the Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Antenom, here.
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He said continuous improvement by the LIGS is important so that government assistance and support can be optimally utilised by smallholders, particularly those in rural areas.
In this regard, Jamawi, who is also Melalap Assemblyman, said his Ministry is committed to ensuring all planned initiatives are implemented effectively, not only for the Melalap constituency but for every Sabahan.
Additionally, he said the Ministry will implement three major initiatives starting next year to strengthen food security and increase income for those involved in the agriculture and food industry sectors.
The first initiative is to empower the Kitchen Garden Programme, which is expected to increase household agricultural output and encourage community participation across various segments in the sector.
He said the programme which focuses on small-scale crop production, fisheries and livestock will be implemented according to area suitability and household capacity, enabling people to obtain basic food sources, including protein, more independently.
“This approach not only helps reduce the cost of living but also supports efforts to ensure food safety and supply sustainability,” he said.
The second initiative involves implementing an Agricultural Mentor-Mentee Programme as a platform to guide the younger generation to become seriously involved in agriculture.
Jamawi said the programme will identify young people active in the agricultural sector for structured guidance, in line with efforts to empower the people and strengthen the State’s food security.
The third initiative is the promotion of the Digital Economy among food industry entrepreneurs to expand markets and increase business income.
He said that in line with digital economy developments, the use of online platforms is believed to help food operators market their products more widely, while opening opportunities for potential young people in food processing to generate sustainable income.
“I am confident these initiatives will have a positive impact on people’s well-being and the development of the state’s agriculture and food industry sector,” he said.
He also said that in response to requests from rubber tappers, a working paper will be prepared by the LIGS together with the Ministry for a proposal to increase the State Government Assistance subsidy at the upcoming Cabinet Meeting.
There are 9,000 registered rubber tappers under the LIGS.
On the programme at hand, he expressed his appreciation to the organising committee and all parties involved in making the aid distribution programme to rubber smallholders in the district a success.
Earlier, Jamawi visited SK Melalap and met with teachers and parents during the school’s Appreciation and Graduation Ceremony.
