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Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is targeting 60 per cent mechanisation in its padi sector within five years to raise yields and strengthen food security.

State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the move could increase output from three to four tonnes per hectare to about six tonnes, with key granary areas such as Tuaran, Kota Belud and Kota Marudu identified to drive the increase.

He said the initiative is expected to improve the State’s self-sufficiency level, which is targeted to reach 40 per cent, and was speaking to reporters after the ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Wisma Pertanian here on Thursday.

Jamawi said greater use of mechanisation and modern farming methods is crucial to attract youth participation in agriculture, adding that recent Federal assistance for ploughing, harvesting and other stages would help accelerate targets.

He said the ministry is also strengthening coordination with Federal authorities to secure more funding for agricultural development, while promoting small-scale kitchen garden initiatives among rural and urban households to supplement food supply and reduce living costs.