RANAU: Some 34 farmers here have received myGAP (Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices) and Malaysia Organic (myOrganic) certifications.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who is also Kundasang Assemblyman, said farmers and consumers are now increasingly aware of the quality, safety and freshness of the food produced and consumed daily.
Advertisement
“This is where the crucial role of the myGAP and myOrganic certification programmes, introduced by the Sabah Agriculture Department since 2002, lies.
“I understand that the myGAP certification emphasises good agricultural practices, increased yields, environmentally friendly and safeguarding workers’ welfare, besides ensuring that crop yields are safe for consumption, clean and of high quality.
“myOrganic is a recognition for agricultural operators using a production system that relies entirely on natural materials without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.
“Both certifications not only guarantee food quality and safety but also provide benefits in terms of boosting consumer confidence in local products, strengthening farm-produce branding in domestic and international markets, as well as opening up wider access to premium and export markets,” he said when officiating the 2026 Kundasang myGAP and myOrganic Awareness programme at the Pekan Kundasang open hall.
Joachim urged farmers, particularly in Kundasang, to join the certification programme and take advantage of the advisory services, guidance and various incentives provided by the State Agriculture Department to obtain myGAP or myOrganic certificates and to expand the Agro Green Zone.
He said in ensuring agricultural products remain high quality, secure and sufficient, various issues must be faced due to the pressures of the global crisis, which impacts the food production sector in Malaysia.
“Among the significant effects we face are rising operating costs, increased costs of fertiliser and pesticide inputs, declining commodity yields and market disruptions.
“These factors will directly influence market price, quantity, production and transport costs, workers’ welfare and so forth.
“I believe the Agriculture Department will continue to provide guidance and advisory services in managing and operating farms so that the impact of these global crisis pressures is kept to a minimum,” he said.
He added that the myGAP or myOrganic certification not only adds value to the farmers’ products but also opens up broader market opportunities, including international and export markets.
Also present were District Officer Tinus Manggam; District Council Executive Officer Elmer M Sator and Ranau Agriculture Office’s Senior Agricultural Officer Kelvin Kalianon.
