KENINGAU: The Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) continues its commitment to strengthening the rural agricultural sector through the implementation of the Income Enhancement Programme (PPP), a strategic initiative aimed at helping small and medium-scale farmers market their agricultural produce in a more structured and competitive manner, while increasing the income of the target group.
SLDB General Manager Datuk Syaheddrul R Joddari said the programme not only provides direct benefits to SLDB participants but also opens opportunities for local agricultural traders and buyers to obtain fresh agricultural produce at reasonable prices.
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Since its introduction, he said the PPP has received very encouraging responses from various parties, demonstrating the need for a more systematic and sustainable marketing platform for farmers in the state.
“The main objective of the PPP is to increase the income of SLDB participants.
“However, within just a few months of its implementation, the programme has been expanded to include local agricultural traders and surrounding communities, with very positive results.
“This programme is conducted on a continuous monthly basis, with SLDB acting as a connecting platform between farmers and buyers to ensure that fresh agricultural produce can be marketed directly and efficiently,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Income Enhancement Programme (PPP) Collection Centre, held at the SLDB Keningau Regional Office on Monday.
Syaheddrul added that the implementation of the PPP also leverages digital facilities to streamline purchasing processes and agricultural produce management, helping farmers access wider and more organised markets in line with current technological developments.
“This initiative does not focus solely on marketing, but also on improving the supply chain so that agricultural produce can be handled more efficiently, transparently, and provide better returns to farmers,” he explained.
At the same time, he expressed his appreciation to all SLDB staff, whom he described as creative and innovative in designing and implementing the programme to help improve the socio-economic status of local communities, especially in rural areas.
He expressed hope that the programme would continue and be expanded to more SLDB regions in the future, in line with efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector as a catalyst for Sabah’s economic development.
Meanwhile, Sandra Justine – a buyer – described the PPP as an excellent initiative that encourages local farmers to market their fruits and crops directly to consumers without intermediaries.
She said in addition to helping farmers generate more stable income, the programme also benefits buyers as the prices offered are more reasonable, of good quality, and not burdensome to consumers.
“Programmes like this should be continued because they create a win-win situation for both farmers and buyers.
“We get fresh produce, and farmers receive fairer income,” she said in an interview.
