Sabah leads Malaysia in agricultural holdings with 159,259 farms
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup highlighted that the interior zone—comprising Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tambunan, and Tenom—accounts for 26% of the state's total agricultural activity.
'The number is expected to rise given the vast potential of undeveloped land in these areas,' he said during the launch of the Road to National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 Series 2.
To support growth, the ministry has introduced initiatives such as the Sook Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK), a coffee processing facility in Sapulut, and high-value crop cultivation like MD2 pineapples.
Arthur emphasized the federal and state governments' commitment to strengthening agriculture through policy planning, technical support, and infrastructure investments.
The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has been pivotal, with Sabah FAMA receiving RM13.8 million in 2024 for 313 projects, benefiting 29,000 entrepreneurs and generating RM83 million in sales.
The upcoming national-level HPPNK 2025 in Kota Kinabalu marks 50 years of the event, with Sabah hosting for the first time in three decades.
'This celebration recognises the vital role of farmers, breeders, and fishermen in national food security,' Arthur added. - Bernama
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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
RM1 million for Sook pineapple venture
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 By: Marutin Ansiung Text Size: Arthur during the groundbreaking of LKTNS pineapple project in Sinua. SOOK: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has allocated RM1 million to support a pineapple cultivation project aimed at improving the rural economy in Sabah's interior, particularly in areas where agriculture remains the main source of livelihood. Its Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the allocation is channelled through the Land Utilisation Optimisation Programme in collaboration with the State Government to the Sabah Land Development Board (LKTNS) to kickstart the MD2 pineapple project. Advertisement 'This is part of our ministry's initiative to focus on high-value agricultural sectors such as MD2 pineapple cultivation,' said Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP, when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the LKTNS MD2 Pineapple Project in Sinua, last Friday. He said while the area was initially developed for oil palm, not all of the land was suitable for that crop. 'Therefore, I support LKTNS's initiative to optimise land use with crops like pineapple that can improve people's income,' he said. The first phase of the project will cover six hectares and involve the planting of 250,000 pineapple suckers, expected to benefit 695 participants in the area. The participants are expected to harvest their first crop in 12 to 15 months. Arthur said the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) is also involved to explore collaboration opportunities and potentially develop a pineapple-based industry in the area. He said the project would not only contribute to national pineapple output but also create job opportunities, generate income for smallholders and drive rural economic growth. Also present were LKTNS General Manager Datuk Syaheddrul R. Joddari, LPNM Chairman Tuan Haji Sheikh 'Umar Bagharib bin Ali, LPNM Director-General Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh and senior officials from LPNM and LKTNS. Earlier, Arthur launched a basic MD2 pineapple planting briefing for the Kampung Sakikilo community in Sook through an initiative by the Sook Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK), benefiting 42 families. At the event, 5,000 pineapple suckers, more than 300kg of fertiliser, and a mini tiller machine were handed over to kickstart the community project. LPNM will provide technical expertise and monitor the project together with PPK Sook to help increase the community's income. Arthur also revealed plans to establish a pineapple industry in Sook as a new economic sector for the interior region of Sabah, in collaboration with LPNM and the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP). 'We chose pineapple because of its strong market potential and opportunities in downstream processing. It is also well-suited to be grown in this region,' he said. He stressed the need for structured, organised and group-based cultivation to reach an industrial scale. Meanwhile, the Road to Hari Peladang, Penternak dan Nelayan Kebangsaan (HPPNK) 2025 Series 2 @ Sook drew more than 10,000 visitors and featured 98 local entrepreneurs along with 14 agencies and strategic partners during the three-day event at the Food Court Parking Area here. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the event was one of the largest ever held in the interior of Sabah. Held under the theme 'Kudrat Kami Menjamin Pertiwi' (Our Strength Secures the Nation), the programme showcased 15 main segments, including Agro Millenia, Youth Clinics, E-Games, Agricultural Technology, Robotics & IoT, and exhibitions and sales under the Agro Madani initiative, in addition to livestock, fisheries and paddy segments. 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The event also saw the presentation of mock cheques to recipients of Small Farm Machinery Ownership Grants from PPK Tenom, Kuala Penyu and Beaufort, Agropreneur Muda Scale-Up Grants under KPKM, and Fama Sabah 2025 Agrobazaar Grants. Arthur said the ministry, through its agency Fama, believes that such programmes not only narrow the rural-urban gap in market access and technology but also reinvigorate Sabah's farming communities. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Sabah records highest agricultural holdings in Malaysia
SOOK: The interim report of the 2024 Agriculture Census shows that Sabah recorded the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, with a total of 159,259. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the agricultural holdings refer to the number of individuals or organisations engaged in the agricultural sector, with Sabah's interior zone, comprising the districts of Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tambunan and Tenom, accounting for 26 per cent of the state's total agricultural holdings. "This number is expected to increase further given the vast potential of undeveloped agricultural land in the interior areas," he said when launching the Road to National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 Series 2 here today. In response to this development, he said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, through its various agencies, has stepped up efforts to boost the agricultural sector in the interior areas. "These efforts include the establishment of the Sook Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK); setting up a coffee processing facility in Sapulut, Nabawan; restoring padi fields in Tulid; and cultivating taro and onions in Sook. "We are also working to introduce high market-potential crops such as MD2 pineapples," he said. Arthur said the federal government, together with the state government, remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector through policy planning, technical support programmes and rural infrastructure investments to continuously enhance agri-food productivity. "As the lead agency for agri-food marketing services in the country, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) plays a key role in strengthening the agri-food security chain by focusing on accessibility and affordability for consumers, supply availability, as well as usage stability and sustainability," he said. He said that last year, Sabah Fama was allocated RM13.8 million for the implementation of 313 projects and programmes, benefiting over 29,000 entrepreneurs and contributing to sales worth RM83 million. "With the upgrading of tamu (rural markets), strengthening of retail outlet networks, and strategic engagement with farmers and operators at the grassroots level, Fama is confident that Sabah can become one of the key pillars in the national food security agenda," he added. Commenting on the Road to HPPNK 2025 programme, he said it serves as a platform to recognise the contributions and roles of farmers, breeders and fishermen in developing the national agri-food sector. "HPPNK held here in Sook is our final series before the national-level HPPNK 2025, which is scheduled to take place from Aug 1 to 3 in Kota Kinabalu. "This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 50 years of HPPNK. "What makes it even more special is that the national-level HPPNK celebration returns to Sabah after 30 years. "The last time Sabah hosted the event was in 1995," he said. – Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Sabah leads Malaysia in agricultural holdings with 159,259 farms
SOOK: Sabah has emerged as the state with the highest number of agricultural holdings in Malaysia, recording 159,259 farms according to the 2024 Agriculture Census interim report. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup highlighted that the interior zone—comprising Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tambunan, and Tenom—accounts for 26% of the state's total agricultural activity. 'The number is expected to rise given the vast potential of undeveloped land in these areas,' he said during the launch of the Road to National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day (HPPNK) 2025 Series 2. To support growth, the ministry has introduced initiatives such as the Sook Area Farmers' Organisation (PPK), a coffee processing facility in Sapulut, and high-value crop cultivation like MD2 pineapples. Arthur emphasized the federal and state governments' commitment to strengthening agriculture through policy planning, technical support, and infrastructure investments. The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has been pivotal, with Sabah FAMA receiving RM13.8 million in 2024 for 313 projects, benefiting 29,000 entrepreneurs and generating RM83 million in sales. The upcoming national-level HPPNK 2025 in Kota Kinabalu marks 50 years of the event, with Sabah hosting for the first time in three decades. 'This celebration recognises the vital role of farmers, breeders, and fishermen in national food security,' Arthur added. - Bernama
