TAMBUNAN: Sabah must shift from being merely a consumer to becoming a major food producer in order to address the global food crisis, said Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
He said the state must undertake a paradigm shift by fully utilising its vast and fertile land as well as its strategic geographical position close to major markets such as China, the Philippines and Indonesia.
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Jeffrey said this during the signing and renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the launch of the Agri-Spark Hub Tambunan, which involved a strategic collaboration with Sabah Credit Corporation at the TRCC Hall here, recently.
He said reliance on imported food must be reduced by strengthening large-scale food production through the integration of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart farming systems.
Such an approach, he said, is key to ensuring Sabah’s food security agenda and improving the state’s Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) in a more efficient manner.
Dr Jeffrey also commended young entrepreneurs, particularly the Agridata team led by Matthew Datuk Johnny Kulai, for spearheading a more commercial and competitive rural agriculture transformation.
He cited the success of local entrepreneurs in Kampung Kaingaran and Kampung Gagaraon, who have adopted modern technology such as biofloc systems in tilapia farming, as an example that could be replicated in other districts across Sabah.
He also shared plans to develop an integrated agro-tourism zone stretching from Sunsuron to Mount Wakid, combining modern farming, aquaculture and rural tourism to create a sustainable economic ecosystem.
Jeffrey said close collaboration between the government, ministries led by Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, financial institutions and the private sector is crucial in driving the transformation of Sabah’s agricultural sector.
Also present at the event were Huguan Siou Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and senior officials from relevant ministries and district leadership.
Jeffrey called on all stakeholders to continue supporting the Agri-Spark initiative as a catalyst for change to position Sabah as a leader in high-technology agriculture in the region while ensuring long-term wellbeing for its people.
