PENAMPANG: Sabah government has renewed its commitment to safeguarding the state’s rich biodiversity and traditional plant genetic resources through the Seed’s Spirit Revival (SSR) Program.
This year, the program recorded 94 new types of plant materials, bringing the total collection to several hundred species.
Collection efforts are continuing into 2026, in line with the state government’s pledge to ensure Sabah’s biodiversity heritage is not lost.
Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said, the initiative reflects a direct response to the global theme of by focusing on preserving native seeds and the cultural knowledge tied to them.
“Sabah is widely recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, home to extensive forests, highlands, rivers and marine ecosystems that support unique flora, fauna and indigenous knowledge systems,” he said when launching Seed’s Spirit Revival (SSR) 2026 Program.
His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister of Public Works and Utilities Datuk Limus Jury. The program was held in conjunction with the Sabah State Kaamatan Festival and World Biodiversity Day 2026 here yesterday.
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He said, Sabah is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, yet they are cautioned that this natural wealth faces mounting pressure from modern development, land-use changes and habitat degradation.
“Many plant species in Sabah have not been fully documented or studied. At the same time, advances in technology and shifts in modern agriculture are changing the landscape faster than conservation efforts can keep up.
“Some native species are at risk of disappearing before we even realize it,” he added.
The SSR Program was launched to counter this risk by systematically documenting, collecting and conserving native plant seeds.
Since its inception in 2021, the program has amassed hundreds of seed varieties, including traditional rice strains, medicinal herbs and local fruits.
Joachim said, these seeds hold value beyond agriculture as they preserve cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and potential for future scientific research and crop development.
This year, the program recorded 94 new types of plant materials, bringing the total collection to several hundred species. Collection efforts are continuing into 2026.
Joachim emphasized that seed conservation is also a food security issue. Sabah currently imports a significant portion of its rice and other staples.
“Reviving and preserving traditional crop varieties provides a buffer against supply disruptions and offers options for developing crops better adapted to local conditions and climate change,” he explained.
The Department of Agriculture Sabah, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, KDCA, and SaBC were recognized for their roles in coordinating the initiative.
Collaboration with local communities has been central as much of the knowledge about seed selection, storage and use resides with farmers and indigenous groups.
“However conserving biodiversity is not the government’s job alone. It requires the participation of communities, educational institutions, researchers and the younger generation.
“Without that, both the seeds and the knowledge attached to them will be lost.”
The state government said it plans to expand the SSR Program annually, with a focus on increasing community involvement and building awareness about the link between biodiversity, culture, and food security.
Efforts will also be made to ensure that collected genetic resources and traditional knowledge are properly recorded, stored and made accessible for future generations.
He noted that, protecting Sabah’s biodiversity is both an environmental and cultural responsibility. By preserving native seeds now, the state aims to keep its options open for agriculture, medicine and ecological resilience in the decades ahead.
