RM559.85 Million Allocation to Strengthen Food Security and Raise Sabah’s SSR

15 February 2026

TUARAN: A total of RM559.85 million has been allocated this year to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) to enhance Sabah’s food security and improve the state’s Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) for food crops.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said that under the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 (SMJ 2.0) Development Plan, the agricultural sector remains one of the three key pillars driving the state’s economic growth.

“This reflects the State Government’s firm commitment to ensuring that food security remains robust.

“As we are aware, food security has become a key agenda at both global and national levels,” he said, adding that climate change, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and the rising cost of living demand a new approach that is practical, resilient and inclusive.

“Therefore, the agriculture, fisheries and food industry sector will continue to serve as the backbone of Sabah’s socio-economic development,” he said at the launch of the MAFFI Kitchen Garden Roadshow at the Padang Istiadat here today.

The Chief Minister said several initiatives are being implemented by the Sabah Agriculture Department, the lead agency for the crop subsector, including the development of Permanent Food Crop Production Zones across 15 designated food production parks statewide.

In addition, RM3 million has been allocated to the Sabah Padi and Rice Board (LPBS) for operational expenses, while RM15 million has been set aside for the procurement of harvesting and ploughing machinery.

“These initiatives are aimed at positioning Sabah as a sustainable and competitive rice producer, while strengthening food security with a target Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) of 60 per cent by 2030,” he added.

Hajiji expressed confidence that the state’s three economic pillars—industry, agriculture and tourism—will continue to expand over the next five years under the SMJ 2.0 framework.

However, he stressed that food security is not solely the responsibility of large-scale farms and major projects.

“It must also begin at the grassroots level, starting with our own home gardens. In this context, the Kitchen Garden initiative under the Rural Economic Revolution programme is a strategy that not only focuses on food production, but also emphasises reducing the cost of living and building a more self-reliant and sustainable community,” he said.

The Kitchen Garden Roadshow, which will be conducted statewide, aims to ensure the initiative is fully embraced by the people, including those in urban, rural and interior areas.

“I would like to see Tuaran emerge as a ‘Model Kitchen Garden District’, where this initiative is not merely implemented, but truly becomes part of the community’s way of life.

“I hope every village, residential area and community will seize this opportunity to cultivate a kitchen garden according to their own capacity and creativity,” he said.

Hajiji explained that the Kitchen Garden Tour adopts a mentor–mentee approach, whereby successful and experienced entrepreneurs provide guidance and advice to local communities.

“This approach ensures the continuous transfer of knowledge and best practices, while strengthening grassroots implementation and building a community-based support network,” he said.

He also urged youths in the state, particularly in Tuaran, to take advantage of the opportunities offered through the tour series to learn smart farming techniques that integrate innovation and technology, with the potential to generate additional income.