MAFFI rolls out high-impact programmes to strengthen Sabah’s food security

20 December 2025

TAMBUNAN: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) will continue to develop food crop cultivation and livestock farming through the implementation of high-impact programmes aimed at increasing people’s income and strengthening the state’s food security.

Its Minister, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said that continuous efforts through the Department of Agriculture and related agencies were expected to improve the overall standard of living of the people of Sabah.

He said this when officiating at the Final Exhibition of the Forest Conservation Project for Water Catchment Areas and the Empowerment of Sustainable Agriculture in Kampung Kuyungon here today.

Expressing his appreciation to the organisers for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with the local community, Jamawi commended the achievements of Kampung Kuyungon, describing it as one of the most progressive villages in the Tambunan district.

Among its achievements was becoming the first village in Tambunan to develop a Community Protocol, as well as being designated an official cultural reference village for future generations through collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia.

In addition, the village has successfully developed the longest and most extensive network of jungle trails in Tambunan, alongside the establishment of community-based tourism (CBT) and the development of Community Agribusiness.

Jamawi said he was also informed that residents of Kampung Kuyungon had implemented the kitchen garden concept as an effort to support household-level food supply sustainability.

He noted that kitchen gardens were also among the ministry’s three new initiatives to strengthen the community agriculture sector.

“Strengthening the Kitchen Garden Programme is expected to increase agricultural output and community participation across various segments of society, towards realising food security.

“The programme focuses on small-scale crop cultivation, fisheries and livestock farming, depending on local suitability and household capacity, while also emphasising youth involvement,” he said.

Jamawi also congratulated the youths of Kampung Kuyungon who had chosen to return to their village and develop agriculture-based businesses.

The second initiative is the Agriculture Mentor–Mentee Programme designed by the ministry as an approach to identify young people who are actively involved in agriculture to guide the next generation into the sector.

The third initiative involves the participation of food industry entrepreneurs in the digital economy to expand markets and increase operators’ income in line with current developments.

According to him, the digital economy approach also has the potential to produce more capable youths in food production and processing to generate sustainable income.

Jamawi also announced that Kampung Kuyungon had been designated as a model village for MAFFI to realise these aspirations. In this regard, he said he would also visit other districts to assess the potential of other villages.

Jamawi expressed hope that all the objectives outlined through the organisation of the event would be successfully achieved.

He recorded his appreciation to all parties involved in ensuring the success of the programme.

Also present were Keningau State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan; Tambunan District Officer Sobitun Makajil; the Tambunan District Chief; and OKK Philip Datuk Kitingan.

Afterwards, Jamawi, accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong and the Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS), Datuk Dr Madiyem Layapan, visited a trial plot of hybrid rice cultivated from Wuhan, China, in Kampung Rompon, Tambunan.