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Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- 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
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sabah boosts padi productivity in six key districts with modern farming
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry is rolling out measures to improve padi productivity across six major districts. Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, and Papar will benefit from modern farming techniques and infrastructure upgrades. Assistant Minister Hendrus Anding revealed that the Sabah Rice and Padi Board has earmarked 121.4 hectares in Tambunan for a high-yield padi pilot project. 'This initiative will feature full automation, mechanisation, and scheduled water management to maximise output,' he said during the State Legislative Assembly session. The ministry is also executing the Quality Padi Production Scheme, which includes satellite farms for seed production, particularly the TR8 variety. Three dedicated centres in Papar, Tenom, and Kota Belud will support this effort. In response to queries from Datuk Rubin Balang, Hendrus shared that abandoned padi fields are being revived. Last year, 437.57 hectares out of a targeted 7,392 hectares were successfully restored. Additionally, the Two-Season-a-Year Planting Campaign is being promoted in select areas using Rice Check technology and centralised farming systems. To further drive agricultural growth, the ministry launched the Sabah State-Level Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution in Tambunan on April 28. The program aims to boost food security and productivity by encouraging broader community involvement in farming. Modernisation remains a priority, with ploughing machinery, drones, and IoT solutions being deployed. 'These technologies address labour shortages while improving precision in fertiliser and pesticide application,' Hendrus added. – Bernama
Daily Express
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Inclusive and comprehensive development policies: CM
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji during his speech at the Istiadat Pengurniaan Darjah-Darjah Kebesaran in conjunction with the official 74th birthday celebration of the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Saturday. THE State Government will continue to strengthen the implementation of inclusive and comprehensive development policies through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap in its efforts to ensure sustained progress and the well-being of the people in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that since its introduction, the policy has had a significant impact, particularly in areas such as economic recovery, investment, agriculture, human capital development, and public welfare. 'Alhamdulillah, we are witnessing growing investment activities and increased state revenue collection in recent years. This is proof of the effectiveness of the government's approach,' he said, in his speech during the Istiadat Pengurniaan Darjah-Darjah Kebesaran in conjunction with the official 74th birthday celebration of the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu, Saturday. He added that the State Government is also focusing on the development of the agricultural sector, which is a key contributor to ensuring food security in Sabah. Among the initiatives were establishment of the Sabah Rice and Padi Board (LPBS) and the launch of the Paddy Crop Takaful Scheme (STTP) aimed at increasing the state's rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) from 24 per cent in 2025 to sixty per cent by 2030. 'This is a strategic step to ensure Sabah becomes more self-reliant in basic food production, thereby reducing dependence on imports,' he said. Advertisement He added that human capital development, especially among the younger generation, remains a top priority for the government through various youth development programmes such as skills training, education, entrepreneurship, leadership and sports. Hajiji said the State Government has also approved the establishment of the Sabah State TVET Council as a platform to coordinate and monitor technical and vocational education and training to meet current industry needs. 'We want to ensure Sabah's youths are equipped with the knowledge and skills relevant to contribute to the development of the state and the nation.' Hajiji also emphasised that the strong relationship and close cooperation with the Federal Government will continue to be upheld to ensure Sabah is not left behind in the national development agenda. He said the State Government highly values the various forms of assistance and initiatives provided by the Federal Government, including in infrastructure, health, education, and security. He expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for the Federal Government's commitment to defending Sabah's rights and sovereignty, including the successful rejection of external claims on the state at the international level. 'Malaysia's success in repelling foreign claims on Sabah proves that the sovereignty of this state remains firm under the Federation of Malaysia, and this gives confidence and reassurance to all Sabahans,' he said. * 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
21-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
CM highlights SMJ success in boosting economy, welfare
Published on: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 21, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji delivers his address at the ceremony. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government will continue to strengthen the implementation of inclusive development policies under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap to ensure sustained progress and public well-being. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stated that the SMJ roadmap has yielded notable outcomes, particularly in economic recovery, investment, agriculture, human capital development, and public welfare. He highlighted increased investment activities and higher state revenue as indicators of the policy's effectiveness since its launch. Hajiji made the remarks during his address at the State Honours and Awards Ceremony in conjunction with the 74th official birthday of Head of State Tun Musa Aman at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Saturday. He said the government is also focused on developing the agricultural sector, with key initiatives including the establishment of the Sabah Rice and Padi Board and the launch of the Padi Crop Takaful Scheme. These efforts aim to raise the state's rice self-sufficiency level from 24 per cent in 2025 to 60 per cent by 2030 and reduce reliance on imports. Advertisement Hajiji also stressed the importance of federal-state cooperation and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for defending Sabah's sovereignty against external claims, while extending birthday wishes to Musa. * 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
10-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah revives rice and padi board to enhance food security, self-sufficiency level
KOTA BELUD: The Sabah government today revived the Sabah Rice and Padi Board, aiming to increase the state's rice self-sufficiency level to 30 per cent by next year and 60 per cent by 2030. Chief Minister Datuk Seri 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 per cent of its rice needs, resulting in heavy reliance on imports," he said at the launch of the board and Agrobank's Padi Planting Takaful Scheme here today. His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I and Sabah's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Hajiji called on relevant state agencies to extend full cooperation to the board, which will take over the development and management of padi cultivation from the Department of Agriculture starting this year, and serve as the regulatory body for both areas moving forward. Hajiji 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. He added that the government is also implementing several other initiatives, such as promoting hill padi cultivation, thus 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, adding that if fully developed, these areas have the potential to yield up to 30,424 metric tonnes of hill padi annually. Drawing a comparison to Sarawak's well-known Bario rice, Hajiji said Sabah has its own distinctive hill padi varieties as well, such as Adan rice from Long Pasia, Sipitang, as well as those from Ranau, Kudat, and Pitas, which are gaining popularity. "I assure you that the state government remains fully committed to revitalising idle padi fields and increasing local rice production," he said, calling on government-linked companies to develop their unused land for the purpose. Meanwhile, Hajiji encouraged farmers to take advantage of the Padi Planting Takaful Scheme, which provides insurance protection. Under the scheme, Malaysian padi farmers aged 18 and above, cultivating in designated areas, registered under the Federal Government Fertiliser Scheme, and holding an Agrobank account, will be covered against crop damage caused by natural disasters, pests and diseases. – BERNAMA
