Kota Kinabalu: The State Government reinforces its commitment to Sabah’s food security through the injection of RM501.54 million to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.“This is a vital boost for food security, which will enable the Ministry to continue its role of ensuring Sabah remaining self-sufficient in terms of food supply,” said Kawang Assemblyman, Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar.
He acknowledged Sabah’s Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry received the fourth largest allocation of the State Budget for 2023.
In the debate session at the State Legislative Assembly, Ghulam hoped that the allocation would be channelled for the continued growth of Sabah’s agrofood sector to meet the increasing demands of consumers and needs of the State which include provisions of rice, vegetables, grain, fruit, poultry, meat and eggs.
“The government’s focus on the agrofood sector is imperative in the post-Covid-19 era in light of an uncertain global economy and rising inflation,” Ghulam added
He said the Ministry’s initiative to enter a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (Mafi) signalled a step in the right direction
Moving forward, Ghulam noted the addition of a MoU between Agrobank and Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) would spur strategic collaboration in investment activities and boost synergy towards the establishment of the Sabah AgroIndustrial Precinct (Saip).
According to Ghulam, the technological precinct functions as a platform for the advancement of the agriculture industry by giving focus to the development of the agrofood sector and selected crops, natural produce fuelled by innovative processing technology and research and development at a site of 215 acres at Kimanis.
“We are looking forward to the results of this strategic effort which is hoped to bolster food productivity, ensure food security and help local farmers and agrofood entrepreneurs,” he said.
He stressed it was important for the government to accelerate initiatives aimed transforming Sabah’s agrofood industry into a modern, dynamic and resilient sector.
In his remarks on the State Budget, Ghulam hailed the State government for injecting its record RM5.138 billion that was inclusive, comprehensive, and in line with the vision set out in Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Roadmap.
“The growth figures shown in the Budget is proof Sabah is on firm footing towards sustainable development. Furthermore, it contains strategic plans to turn Sabah into one of the best managed states in terms of economy, and the State Government’s SMJ initiative will accelerate progress towards a high-income economy,” he said.
Referring to Paragraph 8 of the State Budget 2023, Ghulam stated Sabah is moving towards economic recovery with a rate of 1.1 per cent, opposed to a 9.2 per cent decline in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
