BEAUFORT: The ‘Kebun Dapur’ Programme (PKD) introduced by the State Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry will be expanded in the Lumadan State constituency.
Assemblyman, Datuk Ruslan Muharam, said the initiative aims to encourage residents in the area to make use of their home compounds for small-scale farming and livestock activities.
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He said the ‘Kebun Dapur’ concept emphasises helping families meet their daily food needs while reducing household kitchen expenses.
“The main objective of the ‘Kebun Dapur’ is to ensure families can enjoy produce from their own crops and livestock, thereby reducing dependence on market purchases.
“At the same time, if the yield exceeds household needs, it can be marketed to generate additional income,” Ruslan said to reporters at a breaking of fast event at Masjid Mukim Gadong, here, Feb 21.
Also present were Sipitang Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Malaysian Cocoa Board (Sabah) Datuk Matbali Musah and Beaufort District Officer Nazri Ajun.
Ruslan, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, said an Agricultural Collection Centre has been established in Kg Ulu Lingkungan here.
He said agricultural, livestock and fisheries produce from the Kebun Dapur Programme can be gathered at the centre to facilitate marketing and distribution.
“This initiative is in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) direction, which emphasises agriculture as one of Sabah’s economic drivers under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
“The government wants to see the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors further strengthened as new sources of income for the people, especially in rural areas,” he said.
To support the State government’s efforts, Ruslan said Sabah Credit Corporation is providing start-up capital loans without guarantors to those interested in venturing into the sector.
At the same time, he said the ministry, through its agencies, will assist by providing basic equipment and starter kits such as fish farming systems and hydroponic planting sets to help the public kick-start their projects.
“There are many spacious home compounds that remain underutilised. If properly used, I am confident we can successfully implement the ‘Kebun Dapur’ concept while improving family and community economies,” he said.
The ‘Kebun Dapur’ Programme was officially launched by the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor in Tuaran on Feb 14.
