Latest news with #LPBS
Daily Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Joachim: Welfare of rural folks assured
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 By: Patimang Abdul Ghani Text Size: Dr Joachim with Hendrus and others at the event. KOTA MARUDU: The Sabah government remains committed to the welfare of rural communities, particularly paddy farmers and smallholders who are the backbone of the State's food supply, said Deputy Chief Minister II, Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam. He said various initiatives had been implemented in line with the second pillar of the Sabah Budget 2025 – inclusive and equitable development – to safeguard the interests of these groups while ensuring Sabah's food security. He said the State government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, greatly values the contributions of farmers and smallholders. 'Therefore, efforts to empower them are being intensified through targeted programmes,' he said when officiating the 2025 district-level Kaamatan Festival at the Kota Marudu Community Hall, recently. Dr Joachim, who is also Deputy President of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA), said a key step includes increasing the Paddy Field Ploughing Incentive from RM18 million to RM26 million, benefiting 22,500 farmers annually with a subsidy of RM494 per hectare. 'In addition, the government is also implementing a recovery programme for 438 hectares of idle paddy fields in Papar, Tuaran, and Sook, which is expected to yield 2,190 metric tons of rice per season – enough to feed approximately 15,330 people,' he said. Advertisement Efforts to strengthen the rice sector are further reinforced through the revival of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS). 'A total of RM32.5 million had been allocated for LPBS operations, including the purchase of 60 units of modern machinery and upgrading irrigation systems in six major rice-producing districts, including Kota Marudu. 'The initiative is expected to increase Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) to 30pc by 2026,' Dr Joachim said. At the same time, he said the government has allocated RM7.49 million to the Sabah Agriculture Institute and Agricultural Vocational Training Centres to produce more semi-skilled labour in agriculture. 'All these initiatives are part of the State government's agenda to strengthen Sabah's food security, so we do not have to depend heavily on external supply and can rely on our own local resources,' he said. He added that this commitment by the State Government reflects its serious intent to empower the rural economy, reduce reliance on food imports and ensure a more sustainable future for the people of Sabah. Earlier, Dr Joachim also highlighted that the Kaamatan celebration symbolises unity and appreciation for the hard work of farming communities, who are the foundation of Sabah's culture and identity. 'Kaamatan is for everyone. It is not just an annual celebration, but a reflection of the values of gratitude, cooperation and respect for cultural heritage – values that should be passed down to future generations,' he said. Also present were Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry I cum Tandek Assemblyman, Datuk Hendrus Anding; Supreme Council Member of Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), Datuk Maijol Mahap; Political Secretary to the Chief Minister and Head of the PGRS Women's Movement, Datuk Redonah Bahanda; Kota Marudu District Officer and Chairperson of the Kaamatan Main Organising Committee, Meirin Sugara; and KDCA Central Committee Member and Chairperson of the Kaamatan Festival Executive Committee, Dr Christoper Mandut. * 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
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
State backs rural farmers in push for food sustainability
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 Text Size: The Sabah government is intensifying efforts to empower rural communities, particularly paddy farmers and smallholders, in line with its 2025 Budget's Inclusive and Equitable Development pillar, said Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam. At the Kota Marudu-level Kaamatan Festival, he said initiatives include raising the Paddy Ploughing Incentive from RM18 million to RM26 million, benefiting 22,500 farmers annually with RM494/hectare in subsidies. Advertisement The government is also restoring 438 hectares of idle paddy land in Papar, Tuaran, and Sook, expected to yield 2,190 tonnes per season. To strengthen rice production, Sabah has revived its Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS), allocating RM32.5 million for new machinery and irrigation upgrades in six key districts. Additionally, RM7.49 million has been allocated for agricultural training to produce more semi-skilled workers in the sector. Dr Joachim stressed these efforts aim to boost Sabah's rice self-sufficiency to 30 pc by 2026, reduce reliance on imports, and ensure long-term food security and rural economic sustainability. Advertisement He also highlighted Kaamatan as a celebration of unity, gratitude, and appreciation for the agricultural community's vital role in Sabah's culture and identity. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Borneo Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Kota Belud rice project issues inherited from BN era - STAR Sabah
Robert Tawik KOTA KINABALU (May 17): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STARSabah) has hit back at claims made by Sabah Umno Youth chief Sufian Abdul Karim, who labelled the Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud a symbol of the state government's failure in handling food security policy. Sabah STAR deputy president Datuk Robert Tawik described Sufian's remarks as misleading and lacking historical context, asserting that the problems tied to the project were inherited from the previous administration and cannot be solved overnight. 'Sufian should be more honest when evaluating the facts before pointing fingers. This project began during the time when Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) were in power in both Sabah and the Federal Government,' Robert said in a statement on Saturday. 'Let's not pretend to forget who approved this project, who announced the hundreds of millions in funding, and who oversaw its early implementation. The current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government inherited these problems after years of neglect by the same leaders who are now so quick to assign blame,' he added. Robert stated that the GRS government has never denied the challenges faced by the project, but emphasized that concrete efforts are underway to rehabilitate and restructure it. This includes the reactivation of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board (LPBS) and the establishment of the Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA). 'If the state government was truly not serious, LPBS would not have been reactivated, IADA Kota Belud would not have been established, and infrastructure such as the drainage system would not be prioritised in the redevelopment plans,' he said. Robert also questioned Sufian's motives, suggesting that his statement may be an attempt to divert attention from the failures of the previous administration. 'Who was it that approved the project without a detailed plan? Who failed to resolve the irrigation and soil erosion issues? And now, as GRS works to fix these problems step by step, suddenly we're being accused of failure,' he said. He pointed out that the current administration, under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, has placed food security as a top priority and is committed to gradually increasing Sabah's rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) through realistic and sustainable planning. 'There is no shortcut to fixing a decade-old mistake. But at least now, there is political will and concrete action on the ground not just hollow election promises,' Robert stressed. He also noted that the weaknesses in this sector are not unique to Sabah, but are also present in other states due to factors such as climate change, water resource constraints, and a long-standing reliance on imported rice since BN's federal era. 'The people are tired of blame games in politics. What matters now is the continuity of efforts and long-term solutions not cheap popularity gained by manipulating old issues,' he added. Robert concluded by urging Sufian to visit the ground and see the recovery efforts in Kota Belud for himself before making sweeping media statements. 'Do not just talk in the media. Go down to the field and see for yourself. The people want solutions, not tired rhetoric,' he stressed. In a statement on Saturday, Sufian claimed the long-promised Inisiatif Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud, once touted as a cornerstone of Sabah's food security strategy, has become a glaring symbol of administrative failure by the state government. He said the project, which began with ambitious goals to transform Sabah into a competitive rice-producing region and reduce dependence on imported rice, has yielded little more than unfulfilled promises. 'The people placed great hope in this project, with a target of 10,000 hectares of rice fields and the goal of raising Sabah's rice SSL to 60%. Yet after nearly a decade, the results are extremely disappointing,' said Sufian. He noted that although the federal government allocated RM340 million under the 11th Malaysia Plan and additional funds through the state budgets from 2017 to 2019, Sabah's SSL in 2024 remains at just 22.8%. 'This figure not only falls far short of the original target but clearly demonstrates policy and implementation failure,' he opined. The revival of the Sabah Rice and Paddy Board (LPBS), the establishment of IADA Kota Belud, and announcements of new infrastructure projects including a RM36 million IADA office complex expected to be completed only in 2027 have done little to address fundamental issues on the ground, he added. 'What's the point of spending hundreds of millions if farmers still complain about poor drainage and inconsistent planting seasons? What does the grand vision of the Projek Jelapang Padi Kota Belud mean when our SSL keeps declining every year?' Sufian asked. He pointed out that Sabah's rice output dropped from 72,953 metric tonnes in 2016 to 67,705 metric tonnes in 2022, while the cultivated area has also shrunk. Farmers continue to grapple with flooding and irrigation issues that affect more than 7,000 hectares annually. He also criticised the state government's apparent lack of urgency in addressing the growing food security crisis. 'The Chief Minister himself has acknowledged our heavy reliance on imported rice. The Deputy Chief Minister I (Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan), who also holds the agriculture portfolio, admits Sabah is still far from meeting its actual demand of 400,000 tonnes per year,' he said. 'More troubling is that the sector's annual budget remains stagnant, with no strategic boost in sight, a clear sign of the state's lack of political will,' he opined. Sufian added that many key GRS leaders currently in power were also in office when the project was first launched, and must therefore take responsibility for its failure. 'They are not outsiders to this decision, they are part of the failure itself. So how can the people trust the same leadership to fix the damage they created?' he questioned. He called on the state government to abandon empty slogans and instead focus on concrete results. 'If today's government cannot deliver on a project like this, how can the people have faith in their ability to manage future food challenges?' he said. 'It's time the state government stops pointing fingers and starts taking responsibility. The people of Sabah cannot continue to suffer under policies that look good on paper but collapse in execution,' he concluded.
Daily Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Board officially takes over padi production: Focus is on 22,000ha in six districts
Published on: Monday, May 12, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 12, 2025 Text Size: Jeffrey visiting one of the booths at Dewan Datuk Musbah. KOTA BELUD: The Sabah Padi and Rice Board (LPBS) was officially launched with the aim of achieving the State Government's target of increasing rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) of 30 per cent by next year and 60 per cent by 2030. Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, said various initiatives would be implemented through the revival of LPBS to ensure Sabah's food security, meeting the people's food demands and reduce dependence on rice imports. 'Currently, Sabah can only produce about 22.8 per cent of its local rice, resulting in a high dependence on imported rice to meet demand. 'LPBS will take over all development and management of padi from the State Agricultural Department starting this year. 'In addition, LPBS has also been tasked as the regulator for the development and management of padi. Therefore, I want all relevant State agencies to give full cooperation to LPBS,' he said at the launching of LPBS and Agrobank Padi Cultivation Takaful Scheme (STTP) at the Datuk Musbah Jamli Hall, Saturday. The Sabah Padi Board was dissolved during the Berjaya administration due to rampant corruption, among others. Hajiji's speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I-cum-Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. To boost SSL, Hajiji said the State Government will focus on the development and management of padi in six districts, namely Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, Papar and Kota Belud. The total area of padi fields in these districts is 22,218.35 hectares or 55,879 acres, involving 16,018 padi farmers. In addition to reviving LPBS, Hajiji said the State Government is also implementing several other initiatives, including emphasizing hill padi cultivation. 'Therefore, I call on all hill landowners to develop their land with high-quality hill padi cultivation. 'It is estimated that 13,266 hectares or 32,767 acres of hill land are suitable for padi cultivation, involving 15,617 farmers,' he said. Hajiji further said if fully developed, these areas have the potential to produce 30,424 metric tonnes of hill rice annually. Like Sarawak, famous for its Bario rice, Sabah also has its own hill rice variety, namely the Adan rice from Long Pasia, Sipitang as well as from Ranau, Kudat and Pitas, which have gained popularity in the local market, he said. Hajiji also urged government-linked companies (GLCs) to develop their idle land for padi cultivation. 'I assure that the State Government remains committed to developing idle padi fields and boosting yields and local production,' he said. Hajiji called upon farmers to take advantage of the Padi Cultivation Takaful Scheme that protect paddy planters in the country. Under this scheme, padi farmers who are Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, farming in designated areas, registered under the Federal Government Fertiliser Scheme, with an Agrobank account, will be protected for crop damage due to natural disasters, pest attacks and diseases. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah revives rice and padi board to enhance self-sufficiency
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said the state government will focus on the development and management of padi cultivation across Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, Papar and Kota Belud. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sabah government today revived the Sabah Rice and Padi Board (LPBS), aiming to increase the state's rice self-sufficiency level to 30% by next year and 60% by 2030. Chief minister Hajiji Noor said various initiatives will be implemented through the board to enhance food security and meet local demand, while reducing dependence on imported rice. 'Currently, Sabah produces only about 22.8% of its rice needs, resulting in heavy reliance on imports,' Bernama reported him as saying at the launch of LPBS and Agrobank's Padi Planting Takaful Scheme in Kota Belud today. The text of his speech was read by deputy chief minister I and Sabah's agriculture, fisheries and food industry minister Jeffrey Kitingan. Hajiji called on the relevant state agencies to extend their full cooperation to the board, which will take over the development and management of padi cultivation from the agriculture department starting this year, and serve as the regulatory body for both areas moving forward. He said the state government will focus on the development and management of padi cultivation across the key districts of Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, Papar and Kota Belud, which collectively cover 22,218.35ha, involving 16,018 farmers. The government is also implementing several other initiatives, such as promoting hill padi cultivation and urging hill landowners to utilise their land to cultivate high-quality rice varieties. 'It is estimated that 13,266ha, or 32,767 acres, of hill land are suitable for padi cultivation, involving 15,617 farmers,' he said. If fully developed, these areas have the potential to yield up to 30,424 metric tonnes of hill padi annually.
