Sabah agri transformation from May

Kota Belud: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry's Gelombang Tani Nasional (GTN) 2017 Programme, which is expected to transform the agriculture sector in Sabah, will commence in May. The Ministry's Deputy Secretary-General, Badrul Hisham said the programme aims to transform the sector through a change of attitude among farmers.

GTN which includes the development of IADA also stresses on three areas namely food security, empowering farmers and the feel good factor of the agriculture sector, he said.

The programme is being launched in stages focusing on the educational and awareness enhancement of the local farmers and fact sharing with the government.

The Ministry also aims to increase the State's average padi yield from 3.5 to 6 metric tonnes per hectare under the Integrated Agriculture Development (IADA) Project.

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He said RM360 million has been allocated to execute 10 irrigation and drainage projects since 2015 up to 2020.

"Currently there are three ongoing projects under construction and include upgrading and restructuring works of the main watercourse and water irrigation scheme in the northern side of Tampasuk here.

"A total of 78 per cent of works are presently being carried out where these projects are expected to be completed in August this year," he said, during a working visit to look into the progress of IADA Projects here, Monday.

According to him, Sabah's rice output remained at 30 per cent which is relatively very low.

He said the second package involves the construction of flood bunds, farming roads and related works in two rivers namely, Sungai Kesapang and Sungai Jepun, here.

To date, 50.5 per cent of works have been carried out and its completion is also expected in August.

The third package involves the construction of pipelines and farming roads at Tawadakan Tamau which is at present 2.18 per cent complete.

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He said the project is expected to be completed in October 2018.

Badrul said some 4,000 active farmers and commercial companies are expected to benefit from the 10,000 hectares of padi cultivation as a result of the completion of the IADA projects.

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