Kitchen Garden Concept Expected to Be Launched Early Next Year

15 December 2025

KOTA BELUD: The Kitchen Garden concept introduced by the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) is expected to be launched early next year as a key approach to expanding rural community participation in small-scale agricultural activities.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said the initiative aims to provide the widest possible opportunities for villagers to cultivate crops within their own home compounds at low cost, while delivering direct benefits to their daily lives.

According to him, the Kitchen Garden concept has been designed as a practical platform to reach as many people as possible, particularly farmers, smallholders, fishermen and rural entrepreneurs, most of whom are involved in the agricultural sector.

He said discussions with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary are currently underway to refine the implementation of the concept so that it can be carried out in an orderly and effective manner.

“God willing, with careful planning, this Kitchen Garden concept can be launched early next year,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the PMD Programme and the Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival at the Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli Open Hall here today.

Jamawi said that from his first day reporting for duty as minister, his primary aspiration has been to assist rural communities and to elevate the dignity and well-being of villagers who depend on the agricultural sector as a source of income.

He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend the event and to meet rural entrepreneurs in person, whom he described as having strong spirit and determination to succeed in the field of entrepreneurship.

He congratulated and commended two state agricultural agencies—the Sabah Rubber Industry Board and the Sabah State Land Development Board—for their initiatives and active involvement in the development of rural entrepreneurs.

Jamawi said that programme participants not only received equipment assistance worth up to RM6,000, but were also provided with continuous support, including more structured and effective product marketing guidance, particularly through digital approaches.

He said his background as a farmer and smallholder enables him to deeply understand the hardships, challenges and needs of villagers, whether as farmers, hawkers, fishermen, retailers or livestock breeders.

That experience, he said, will be fully utilised in efforts to develop rural communities, especially those involved in the agricultural sector, with the aim of improving the well-being and standard of living of the people.

Meanwhile, Jamawi expressed hope that continued cooperation between relevant agencies and professional parties would be further strengthened to drive development and enhance the welfare of rural communities.

He also recorded his appreciation to all parties involved, including the ministry, implementing agencies and the Organising Committee, for the successful organisation of the PMD Programme and the Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival.

Also present were the Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for Tempasuk, Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong; Principal Assistant Secretary of the Economic Development Division of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Farah Ahmad; former Tempasuk ADUN, Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli; General Manager of the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS), Sabdil Tanjong; the representative of the General Manager of the Sabah State Land Development Board (LKTNS), Fauzie Jamlee; and the Managing Director of E-lokal Sdn Bhd and Administrator of the Desamall Digital Marketing Programme (PMD), Ahmad Shah Wahid.