Farmers and players in agriculture sector should work together: YB
Published on: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Rubin said Sabah can emulate the methods and approaches used by the Netherlands, which is the second largest food producer globally, after the United States. - Bernama pic for illustration only.
Kota Kinabalu: Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang wants the State Government and Government-linked companies (GLCs) to enhance the agriculture industry by collaborating with stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
During the debate on the 2024 State Budget at the State Legislative sitting, Monday, he emphasised that farmers and players in the agriculture sector should work together to produce high-quality hybrid fruits.
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“This collaboration has the potential to greatly benefit the socio-economy of the community at the grassroots level,” he said.
He suggested that the government could enhance its agricultural support by offering training on planting, care, and harvesting techniques.
Additionally, he proposed the implementation of a contract farming system and the establishment of fruit collection centres equipped with cold storage facilities.
“I believe it would be beneficial to include this in the budget for the upcoming year,” he said.
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In addition, he said that the agricultural sector’s performance is significantly lower compared to other sectors.
For instance, agriculture only achieved a mere 0.2 per cent performance, while services reached 8.6 per cent, mining/quarries 1.3 per cent, manufacturing 2.5 per cent, and construction 6.2 per cent.
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“Sabah has a great potential for economic development in the agricultural sector, but it appears that the government is not fully committed to harnessing the sector’s potential for generating economic growth,” he said.
He said Sabah can emulate the methods and approaches used by the Netherlands, which is the second largest food producer globally, after the United States.
In addition, he emphasised the importance of the government constructing road access to farms and plantations, as well as expediting the approval process for land applications.
This would greatly benefit individuals at the grassroots level who are eagerly awaiting approval for their land applications.
“If the government faces challenges in directing allocations to government departments and agencies, an alternative approach could be to channel the funds through the people’s representative allocation,” he suggested.
He is confident that agriculture will greatly enhance the socio-economic conditions of the people and uplift them from poverty.
He also wants the Public Works Department and the concessionaire to prioritise and expedite the road repair and upgrade works in Kemabong, as some progress has been slower than desired.
“The deteriorated roads pose significant challenges for the villagers in transporting their agricultural products and for children going to school. I would appreciate it if the government could address the issue of the damaged asphalt roads.
Several roads in the Public Works Department are made of asphalt, but unfortunately, no action is taken to repair them when they become damaged.
This is extremely disheartening for both the public and myself, as their elected representative.
“I have repeatedly raised this issue at the district level and during the state legislative assembly sessions, but unfortunately, no action has been taken. Let us ensure tasks are completed,” he said.
To achieve this goal, he emphasises the importance of collaboration among all parties to ensure that everyone benefits from economic and infrastructure development.
“People have high expectations for a society that values unity, stability, and advancement.
It is crucial to avoid any disruptions to the GRS plus PH government, as this could have negative consequences for both the people and the State. Our goal should be to achieve the same level of development as in the peninsular and Sarawak. We in Sabah have been left significantly behind,” he said.
“The people of Sabah are seeking a cohesive and solution-oriented approach to address their concerns and stimulate economic growth. It is important to assert our rights as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. “Let’s work together,” he said.
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