
Sabah records highest agricultural holdings in Malaysia
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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Alam Maritim jumps nearly 24pct in active trade
KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of Alam Maritim Resources Bhd jumped nearly 24 per cent in morning trade as the stock continued to stabilise following a price adjustment from its share consolidation exercise in early July. The counter opened slightly higher, up one sen or 5.26 per cent, before climbing as much as 4.5 sen or 23.68 per cent to 23.5 sen in active trade. At the time of writing, the stock had eased to 22.5 sen, still up 3.5 sen or 15.56 per cent, with over 10 million shares changing hands, its busiest trading day in more than a month. Alam Maritim completed a 10-to-1 share consolidation on July 3, with the stock trading on an adjusted basis starting July 1, rising from 2.5 sen to 26.5 sen on that day. Since the price adjustment, the stock has fallen 7.5 sen or 28.3 per cent from its adjusted high of 26.5 sen, closing at 19 sen yesterday after touching a low of 17.5 sen on Aug 1. Last Friday, the company confirmed that its ongoing rights issue is part of efforts to restructure its debts and exit its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status. The rights issue opened on July 31. Eligible shareholders have until Aug 15 to subscribe to their entitled shares or apply for excess shares. Trading of provisional rights ends on Aug 7. Under the offer, shareholders are entitled to subscribe for three new shares for every four shares held, at 12 sen per share. For every four rights shares subscribed, they will also receive one free warrant, exercisable at 30 sen per share. The company expects to raise about RM13.8 million, most of which will go towards settling debts with creditors under its court-approved restructuring plan. Alam Maritim has been classified as a PN17 company since October 2022, after its auditors issued a disclaimer of opinion on its financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2022. The company is an offshore service provider specialising in subsea services and offshore support vessel (OSV) operations for the oil and gas industry. Its core services include underwater inspection, repair and maintenance, vessel chartering and marine construction. For the third quarter ended March 31, 2025, Alam Maritim posted a net profit of RM20.7 million, up from RM18.5 million a year earlier, mainly due to a RM19.5 million reversal of impairment on investments in jointly controlled entities. However, revenue for the quarter fell 22.7 per cent to RM49.3 million from RM63.8 million, primarily due to weaker contributions from the OSV and subsea segments.


Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
RM12 billion from agriculture sector: Hajiji
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji said as a State blessed with fertile land and a tropical climate well-suited for agriculture, Sabah is taking bold steps to support the national food security agenda. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government remains committed to ensuring the agriculture sector continues to be a key driver of growth and a catalyst for a more dynamic and resilient Sabah economy. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the sector is not only the third-largest contributor to the state's economy but also plays a critical role in safeguarding national food security. 'This sector contributes RM12.2 billion or 14.5 per cent to Sabah's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 'Therefore, the State Government is prioritising efforts to further strengthen this sector through more strategic and inclusive approaches,' he said at the closing of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Sunday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the closing of HPPNK 2025. Also present were Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, along with federal and state leaders. Advertisement Hajiji said as a State blessed with fertile land and a tropical climate well-suited for agriculture, Sabah is taking bold steps to support the national food security agenda. Among the concrete measures is the re-establishment of the Sabah Rice and Padi Board last year — after being dissolved in 1981 — to boost the local rice industry and raise the Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) of rice to 30 per cent by 2026 and 60 per cent by 2030. 'This is in line with the priorities of the Federal Government led by Anwar who has placed strong emphasis on agriculture, especially rice cultivation,' he said. He emphasised the importance of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart farming to increase production efficiency, boost productivity, and attract younger generations to the sector. He said Sabah currently has 15 Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM) that had produced over 1,494 metric tons of food products, generating more than RM4.32 million to date. Hajiji also announced Sabah's first high-impact strategic investment in the Blue Economy sector — development of a European Union-standard tuna and deep-sea seafood landing port in Kota Kinabalu by the State Government in partnership with a local company, with an investment value reaching RM360 million. He said the port is expected to land 50,000 tons of tuna annually, with the potential to generate up to RM1.8 billion in economic value per year, positioning Sabah as one of the major deep-sea players. He also urged the farming, livestock, and fishing communities in Sabah to embrace change and adopt new technologies in modern farming practices and farm management. * 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
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Chicken egg prices in Kedah stable despite subsidy removal
ALOR STAR: Supplies and prices of chicken eggs across various grades have remained stable in Kedah, despite the discontinuation of the egg subsidy. Checks by the "New Straits Times" at urban hypermarkets in Alor Star and Padang Terap found no noticeable price hikes or disruptions in supply. Taman Saga Mydin Hypermarket assistant manager Anuar Abu Hassan said the only difference following the removal of the subsidy was the lifting of purchase limits that were previously imposed. "Previously, due to subsidy controls, customers were limited to buying two trays of 30 eggs per person. "Since the subsidy ended, that restriction has been lifted, prices have not changed and supply remains stable. "There has been no panic buying or complaints. Prices are affordable," he said at the hypermarket in Alor Star. As of today, the hypermarket lists Grade A eggs at RM12.60 per tray of 30 eggs, Grade B at RM11.99, Grade C at RM10.99, and Grade D at RM9.99. In Simpang Kuala, a wholesaler who wished to be known only as Tan, said prices and supplies of eggs have remained unchanged since the removal of price controls. "Prices are now based on supply and demand since the subsidy ended. So far, the situation has been stable," she said, adding that Grade A eggs were priced at RM12.30 per tray of 30 eggs at her store. In Kuala Nerang, wholesaler Zulkifli Shuib, 35, said supplies for Grade B chicken eggs were ample, adding that there have been no price changes at the wholesale level or from producers. "We're selling at RM11.40 per tray of 30 eggs for Grade B. So far, there's been no difference in prices, and supply has been consistent throughout Padang Terap," he said. Sundry store employee Yusuf Zahir, 41, said retail prices of eggs in Kuala Nerang town had remained stable. He said Grade C eggs were priced at RM11.40 for a tray of 30, while Grade B and Grade A eggs were sold at RM12 and RM12.60 per tray, respectively. On April 30, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announced that the egg subsidy would be discontinued starting Aug 1. The decision was made after factoring in the industry's commitment to ensuring a stable and sufficient egg supply following the stabilisation of production costs.