TENOM: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor wants the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), together with relevant departments and agencies, to focus on five key approaches to address the challenges faced by farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen.
He said these approaches included strengthening assistance and support for industry players, improving agricultural infrastructure and basic facilities, expanding the use of modern technology, strengthening market access and supply chains, and enhancing resilience to climate change and production risks.
He said these approaches were crucial given rising costs of fertilisers, animal feed, seeds, fuel, and equipment, as well as inadequate infrastructure, cold storage facilities, produce transportation, and access to financing, which continued to affect some industry players.
“I want the ministry and all relevant agencies to continue engaging directly with farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen on the ground, listening to their problems and finding appropriate solutions based on the circumstances in each district.
“Effective assistance is assistance that addresses real problems, reaches the targeted groups and produces measurable improvements,” he said at the opening of the Sabah State Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day 2026 celebration here today.
Deputy Chief Minister II/Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Masidi Manjun delivered the Chief Minister’s speech.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the State Government was targeting an increase in the self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for padi and rice from 22 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen food security and reduce Sabah’s dependence on external supplies.
He said increasing local food production had become a government priority in addressing the challenges of climate change, global market uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and rising input and transportation costs.
Apart from padi and rice, the government was also focusing on increasing the production of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, fish and other food products that were in high demand among the people, he said.
“As a state with vast agricultural potential, Sabah must continue to strengthen its local food production capacity so that we are not overly exposed to fluctuations in external supplies and prices.
“We must be bold in making changes through the adoption of technology, strengthening infrastructure, developing human capital, expanding market access and increasing the value of agricultural produce,” he said.
Hajiji said the State Government, through the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Development Roadmap for 2026 to 2030, continued to position agriculture as one of the state’s key economic growth drivers, alongside the industrial and tourism sectors.
He said the development of the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors must shift from traditional methods to more modern, efficient, productive and market-oriented production systems to increase the incomes of industry players.
He said the government wanted Sabah’s agricultural produce not only to meet local market demand but also to penetrate markets in other states and internationally by complying with the required quality and food safety standards.
“The success of the agrofood sector must be measured not only by production volume, but by improvements in the incomes of industry players, the stability of food supplies and the well-being of their families,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hajiji also stressed the need to strengthen the livestock and fisheries sectors through quality breeding, improvements to fish landing facilities and the expansion of seafood processing and marketing industries.
He also wanted more young people to venture into the agrofood industry, which had tremendous potential to generate new wealth, create employment opportunities and boost rural economies.
He said the government would continue to encourage the adoption of modern technology, innovation and digitalisation to improve productivity, while ensuring that smallholders, traditional livestock breeders, coastal fishermen and interior communities were not left behind in development.
“Agriculture is a business industry capable of generating new wealth and creating extensive employment opportunities.
“Let us work together to build a more modern agricultural sector, a more productive livestock industry and a more sustainable fisheries sector,” he said.-pr/BNN
