Kota Kinabalu: Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said Ko-Nelayan will implement eight programmes and 28 projects worth RM108.49 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), aimed at strengthening the income and resilience of marine and inland fishermen across Sabah.
Speaking at the appreciation night on Saturday, he said the allocation is expected to generate long-term impact for fishing communities, adding that Ko-Nelayan had already demonstrated strong delivery by utilising about 90 per cent of its previous RM39.8 million allocation.
“We need to be on the ground, solve the people’s problems and help them improve their income. That is the responsibility of the ministry and its agencies,” he said, urging department heads to prioritise field engagement.
Jamawi also highlighted the Kebun Dapur initiative, which encourages households with limited land to grow food for their own consumption to reduce living costs, while allowing surplus produce to be sold for additional income.
He said the initiative expands participation in agriculture by promoting small-scale, space-efficient farming and strengthens community-level food security.
Meanwhile, Ko-Nelayan General Manager Yusof Awang Besar said the annual programme recognises staff, district offices and projects that recorded outstanding performance throughout 2025, while fostering unity among employees statewide.
He said the corporation is entering RMK13 with its highest allocation in history and will prioritise programmes to raise the income of low-earning fishermen through soft financing, training and modern marketing approaches.
“Financing schemes will be offered statewide to help fishermen purchase boats, expand small-scale industries and increase production capacity, including machinery upgrades.
“High-potential enterprises will also receive catalytic support such as packaging assistance and access to e-commerce platforms,” he said.
He added that their digital platform, e-Ikan, forms part of its digitalisation push to help entrepreneurs market products online and reach markets beyond Sabah, while infrastructure upgrades will include improvements to complexes in Tambisan and Kudat and the maintenance of ageing landing jetties.
