Tuaran: The State Government has allocated RM559.85 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry this year to enhance food security and improve the State’s Self-Sufficiency Ratio for food crops.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the agriculture sector remains one of three main pillars driving the State’s economic growth under the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) development plan.
“This reflects the State Government’s commitment to ensuring food security remains strong. As we are aware, food security has become a key agenda at both global and national levels,” he said, when launching the Ministry’s Kitchen Garden Roadshow at the Padang Istiadat, Sunday
(pic).
Hajiji said climate change, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and rising living costs require new approaches that are more practical, resilient and inclusive.
“Therefore, the agriculture, fisheries and food industry sectors will continue to be the lifeblood of Sabah’s socio-economic development,” he said.
He outlined several initiatives being implemented by the Sabah Agriculture Department, the main agency responsible for crop subsector development, including the development of Permanent Food Production Zones at 15 Permanent Food Production Parks Statewide.
Additionally, RM3 million has been allocated to the Sabah Padi and Rice Board for operating expenditure, while another RM15 million is earmarked for the procurement of harvesting and ploughing machinery.
“This initiative aims to make Sabah a sustainable and competitive rice producer, and to ensure food security with a target of 60 per cent Self-Sufficiency Level by 2030,” he said.
Hajiji is confident the State’s three economic pillars development will grow over the next five years under the SMJ 2.0 roadmap.
However, he pointed out that food security is not solely the responsibility of large-scale farms or projects.
“It also begins at the grassroots level, in our own home compounds. In this context, the Kitchen Garden initiative under the Rural Economic Revolution programme is a strategy that not only focuses on food production but also emphasises reducing living costs and building more self-reliant and sustainable communities,” he said.
The Kitchen Garden Roadshow, being implemented across Sabah, aims to ensure the initiative is fully utilized by the people, including those in urban, rural and interior areas.
“I want to see Tuaran emerge as a ‘Model Kitchen Garden District’. I hope every village, housing area and community will seize this opportunity to develop kitchen gardens according to their respective capabilities and creativity,” he said.
Hajiji added that the Kitchen Garden Roadshow adopts a mentor-mentee approach, where successful and experienced entrepreneurs will guide and advise local communities.
“This approach not only ensures continuous knowledge transfer and best practices but also strengthens grassroots implementation and builds community-based support networks,” he said.
He urged young people in the State, particularly in Tuaran, to seize opportunities offered through the roadshow series to learn smart farming techniques that combine innovation and technology to generate additional income.
Earlier, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the Kitchen Garden Roadshow will be implemented in every parliamentary constituency in Sabah, with the first roadshow launched on Sunday at the Padang Istiadat here.
He said next would be Putatan as empowering the rural agriculture sector has been his main aspiration since his first day reporting for duty as minister.
“The Ministry, together with Agriculture Department officers, will provide special packages at low prices involving the supply of agricultural and livestock inputs such as chickens, goats, fish, vegetables and other basic farming needs,” he said.
“With these kitchen gardens, where vegetables and livestock are cultivated around the home, people will no longer need to depend entirely on purchasing from shops or markets,” he added.
