Initiatives to increase food production

24 November 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government is committed to improving the productivity and quality of agricultural products to enhance the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of food supplies.

They will focus on advancing the agricultural sector through various initiatives and programs for crops, aquaculture, livestock, rubber farming, and the development of farmer entrepreneurs.

To address the challenge of ensuring basic food security, especially for rice, the State Government is implementing several initiatives to increase the rice SSL from 22 percent this year to 31 percent by 2025, Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said this in his budget 2024 speech at the State Legislative Assembly today.

This include revitalising the Sabah Rice and Padi Board with an allocation of RM1.82 million for management and administration purposes.

They will also provide incentives for paddy field cultivation with an allocation of RM18 million and reclaim abandoned paddy fields, developing upland paddy cultivation, increasing the number of paddy field machinery and equipment, providing optimum fertilizer, and subsidizing paddy sales to all farmers with an allocation of RM5.16 million.

Masidi said they will continue the study of suitable rice varieties for cultivation in paddy fields affected by saltwater intrusion, especially in the East Coast of Sabah, and introducing dryland rice farming technology to farmers.

“For other crop sub-sectors, focus will be given to the implementation of Crop Commodity Development, Research, Recognition and Certification, Quarantine Enforcement, Human Capital Development, and Farmer Entrepreneurship,” he said.

“To make Sabah one of the regional food hubs, another Permanent Food Production Park (TKPM) has been identified and will be developed in Sungai Lokan, Kinabatangan. This will bring the total number of TKPMs to 16, covering a total area of 592.87 hectares and involving 183 participants. The Tuaran Agricultural Research Center is exploring a new field of research, namely plant biotechnology, particularly molecular biology, to develop new varieties with shorter maturity periods, resistance to diseases, and high-quality crop yields.”

“The fisheries sub-sector is the second-largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the agricultural sector for the year 2022. The Balance of Trade in this sector also shows a positive figure of approximately RM600 million to RM900 million annually. Therefore, an allocation of RM41.61 million is provided for the fisheries sub-sector to continue development programs and support that help ensure the production of fishery products for the domestic and international markets. Out of this amount, RM10.43 million is allocated for development, including activities such as conservation through the placement of artificial reefs and tagal activities.”

“In addition, enforcement efforts to address issues of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, particularly fish bombing, are being intensified. As a result of these enforcement measures, the Sabah Fisheries Department has recorded 49 cases with 4 court cases successfully prosecuted this year,” he said.

The State Government aims to explore the Blue Economy concept to develop the economy, create job opportunities, and improve living standards in a sustainable way. The Blue Economy focuses on sustainable management of marine and coastal resources. It includes initiatives such as mangrove conservation, fisheries and aquaculture, renewable energy, tourism and recreation, and addressing climate change. To this end, the State Government will hold an International Blue Economy Conference in February 2024 in collaboration with foreign investors who have expertise in these areas.

“The Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Development Corporation (Ko-Nelayan) is allocated RM15.99 million to continue implementing programs and development projects that will benefit the fishing community, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, and the development of the fisheries and aquaculture industry.”