P'pines offers agri and fish knowhow

Kota Kinabalu: Philippines technical and agri experts have always been very supportive and eager to provide Sabah the necessary hybrid technologies for crops and fish rearing and the State stands the chance to gain further assistance in these sectors.Our Filipino counterparts has agreed to provide businessmen in Sabah the necessary know-how to cultivate hybrid rice, banana, corn and even fish farming technology ," BIMP-EAGA Sabah Business Council Chairman Datuk Roselan Johar Mohamed said.

Through such technology transfer, businessmen, particularly local farmers, will be encouraged to venture into bigger scale banana, corn and rice farming, he said.

"We are also happy to note that successful Filipino hybrid fish farmers are willing to teach us latest technology on fish breeding," he added.

Roselan said Philippine rice technology would enable Sabah to triple output. Similar result is expected in corn farming.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

"So far we have been planting sweet corn for flavor. But we have to plant the field corn for the animal feed industries too.

At the moment, we are importing between 15-20,000 metric tonnes from neighbouring countries and we are losing on balance of payment by more than RM200 million per annum.

"To be self sufficient, we just need 10,000 acres of arable land to plant the field corn," he said.

He said the Philippines is even willing to send soil geologist to Sabah as part of its transfer of technology programme.

"This is exactly what BIMP-EAGA, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines are focusing now. With the present cordial relationship between the leaders of both nations, I am optimistic that Sabah stands a chance to be a major exporter of agriculture and fishery products in the region," he said.

Roselan also welcomed the projection of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) in Sabah to export RM12 million worth of "Saba" bananas to Peninsula Malaysia this year, up from RM10 million last year.

Its Fama Director Robin Wahid recently said the target was achievable, as statistics showed there was an upward trend in the export of commodity since Sabah Fama began actively marketing it in 2012.

Towards this end, Roselan suggested that local farmers also seriously consider cultivating Cavendish banana because of its high price and demand abroad.

" In Tokyo, cavendish banana cost USD 2 per piece. Our soil in Sabah is suitable for this particular kind of fruit bearing plant. Let us use our idle lands for mass production of fruit crops like banana, corn, sugarcane, mangoes, cassava and other fruit bearing trees including levelling up our rice farming simply because agriculture is now a promising sunrise industry," he stressed.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Roselan reiterated that there is no point for Sabah to compete with big international players manufacturing steels, and other electrical or electronic products.

" All we need to do now is make use of our natural resources given to us by mother nature. Let us focus in agriculture and fisheries because it promises a huge revenue to all the players," he said.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00