Exploring Community farming to empower rural residents

2 May 2025

KIULU: Building on the success of community tourism, Kiulu is now exploring community farming as a new initiative to further empower its rural residents.

Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai stated that the concept would mirror the community tourism model that has positioned Kiulu as a benchmark for others to follow.

“The model of community involvement and shared responsibility has proven effective in tourism, and we now aim to apply the same principles to agriculture,” he said at the Pesta Kaamatan Mahkamah Anak Negeri Kiulu here on Friday.

Currently, Joniston explained, nearly 30 villages in Kiulu already possess gazetted lands, making them ideal for this new initiative.

The Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment emphasised that local leaders, including village heads and JKKK chairpersons with farming experience, should take the lead in implementing the programme to ensure community ownership.

“The Kiulu ADUN Service Centre will coordinate efforts with the Tuaran District Agriculture Department and grassroots leaders to facilitate engagement and provide technical support, ensuring the successful realisation of this project,” he added.

He also noted that this engagement process would serve as a foundation for preparing a comprehensive concept paper to be submitted to the relevant ministry for funding.

The community farming initiative aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, which focuses on rural development and economic sustainability.

Kiulu is already renowned for its cultivation of pineapples, ginger, and hill paddy, all of which have significant market potential if further developed.

“These are our flagship crops. We want to maximise their value and establish Kiulu as a centre for premium produce,” said Joniston, highlighting the future plans to set up processing factories to add value and generate local employment.

Since its inception in 2014 with just a handful of tourism operators, Kiulu has grown to host over 80 operators today, creating part-time and full-time jobs for more than 400 local residents.

“Farming has always been part of our culture, and it is also an attraction in its own right. Combining agriculture with tourism adds depth to the rural experience,” he concluded.