State Government Focused on Empowering Rural Communities, Ensuring Food Security

18 May 2025

KOTA MARUDU: The Sabah State Government remains committed to the welfare of rural communities, particularly paddy farmers and smallholders who form the backbone of the state’s food supply, said Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

He said various initiatives have been implemented and are ongoing in line with the Second Pillar of the Sabah 2025 Budget — Inclusive and Equitable Development — to ensure that the livelihoods of these groups are safeguarded while also strengthening Sabah’s food security.

“The State Government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, greatly values the contributions of paddy farmers and smallholders. Therefore, efforts to empower them have been intensified through various targeted programmes,” he said when officiating the 2025 District-level Kaamatan Festival at the Kota Marudu Community Hall today.

Dr Joachim, who is also the Deputy President of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), said one of the key measures is the increase in the Paddy Field Ploughing Incentive from RM18 million to RM26 million, benefiting 22,500 farmers annually through subsidies of RM494 per hectare.

“In addition, the Government is implementing a programme to rehabilitate 438 hectares of idle paddy fields in Papar, Tuaran and Sook, which is expected to yield 2,190 metric tonnes of paddy per season — enough to meet the needs of 15,330 residents,” he added.

He said efforts to strengthen the paddy sector have also been bolstered through the re-establishment of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS).

“A total of RM32.5 million has been allocated for LPBS operations, including the purchase of 60 modern machines and the upgrading of irrigation systems in six major paddy-producing districts, one of which is Kota Marudu.

“This move is expected to raise Sabah’s rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) to 30 percent by 2026,” he explained.

At the same time, the Government has also channelled RM7.49 million to the Sabah Agricultural Institute and Vocational Agricultural Training Centres to produce more semi-skilled manpower in the agriculture sector.

“All these initiatives form part of the State Government’s agenda to strengthen Sabah’s food security — so we are not overly dependent on external supply, but can instead be self-reliant through local resources,” he said.