Move to make padi planting economically attractive, says Maximus
Published on: Monday, May 18, 2015
Kota Marudu: Padi planting will be a more attractive economic activity once the government puts in place various additional measures to ensure income and returns are worthwhile for farmers to participate in this sector.Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili said the perception that young people were not interested in becoming paddy farmers was not a serious problem and it could be resolved if the sector proved to be economically attractive and viable."There are many young farmers who are participating in existing agriculture and farming programmes to develop their paddy fields. Our focus for the future is to stress on profitable paddy farming. If we cannot prove that farmers can achieve return to labour they will not be interested in this sector.
ADVERTISEMENT
"However, while the government had been assisting with new technologies, seedlings and fertilisers that produced higher yield, cost of some input has also increased and therefore the government is looking into how to make sure the return to labour is still attractive," he said during the launching of the Kota Marudu district level Pesta Kaamatan here, Sunday.He added that this was especially so with the Agriculture Ministry's aim for total self-sufficiency in the country in the next 10 years."This means it is expected that there will be more and new programmes under the coming 11th Malaysia Plan to redevelop paddy fields, idle land and encourage more farmers to grow paddy," he said.Dr Maximus also said he hoped this would include more participation of Sabah farmers in the sector.
ADVERTISEMENT
On padi being the main economic activity in Kota Marudu, he said a total of 22,332 hectares was suitable for agriculture in the district, out of which 3,570 hectares were utilised for paddy planting involving 2,611 farmers. Besides this the Agriculture Department has carried out an intensive programme for hill padi planting involving 30 hectares and 750 farmers.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The government has also provided fertiliser subsidy with allocation of RM3.16million for last year and a further RM4.5million for this year,' he said.On the yield, Kota Marudu produced 28,560 tonnes of rice last year worth RM22.4 million. He said with intensified efforts, it would not be impossible for Kota Marudu to become the main producer of rice in Sabah instead the second largest producer at the moment.Touching on Pesta Kaamatan which is a celebration of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, Dr Maximus said the people of Sabah would continue to celebrate their diverse cultures and ethnicity that bound them in unity.He said Kaamatan was a good occasion for Sabahans to remind themselves how lucky they were living together in harmony and peace despite the state being made up of so many ethnics and sub ethnics with their own cultures, dialects, language, food, tradition and belief."This is what we must preserve and protect and not allow anything or anyone to dismantle. Acceptance and moderation is our way of life which we will always uphold," he added.At the event, he also crowned student Marvena Jitol 20, from Kampung Taiwan, here as Kota Marudu district Unduk Ngadau winner. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
