AGRICULTURE REMAINS SABAH'S ECONOMY

WITNESSING.... Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman (standing in the middle) witnessing the signing of agreement between the Kota Belud Farmer’s Organization, the Kota Belud farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, representing the government, at the Hari Peladang, Penternak dan Nelayan Peringkat Negeri Sabah 2012.

By : SHALINA R

THE AGRICULTURE sector plays a cardinal role in the development of Malaysia's economy.  Also a major backbone of the state’s economy, agriculture is one of the main sectors focused in the master plan, called “Halatuju” launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman when he became Sabah's Chief Minister in 2003.True to Halatuju, agriculture received large allocations at the closing stages of the 8th Malaysia Plan and was the focus of attention in the 9th and 10th Malaysia Plans.

Continuing the trend and emphasis, the state government allocated RM 463.01 million for the agricultural sector  in the 2013 State Budget. Part of this large allocation will be utilized to increase the state's food supply.

Both the state and federal governments are working jointly to turn Kota Belud into one of Malaysia's rice granaries. Known also as the EPP (entry point project) 11 Kota Belud, this programme is part of Malaysia’s ETP (Economic Transformation Programme).

Witnessed by the Chief Minister, the agreement to carry out  the EPP 11 Kota Belud was signed on the first day of Hari Peladang, Penternak dan Nelayan Negeri Sabah (HPPNS) 2012 at Likas Bay's Rural Development Corporation Marketing Space.

The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, as representatives of the government, and the Kota Belud Farmers’ Organization, and  between the government and the farmers involved in the programme. According to Musa, 762 farmers are involved in the first phase of this programme.

800 hectares of land will be utilized in this initial phase and incentives totaling RM1.6 million were given to these farmers. RM1.62 million was also given to the Kota Belud Farmers’ Organization for assistance.

Speaking at the launch of HPPNS 2012 recently, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin said, “The oil palm sector, no doubt, is a major contributor to the growth of the state’s economy. But we also have to accept the fact that the agri-food sector, must still be given special attention, especially rice which is the staple food of Sabahans.”

Also Sabah's Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Yahya disclosed that a total of RM370.5 million worth of rice was imported into the state in 2011. “This is because the state's rice production is still less than 30 percent self-sufficiency, ” he said.

Besides that, RM221.6 million was spent on meat import, in which Sabah's self-suffiency level is also less than 30 percent. However, the state fares better in  fruits and vegetables, having achieved 80 percent and 57 percent self-sufficiency respectively.

The production of fresh milk, eggs and chicken is sufficient for the state’s population, while maintaining its position  as the major exporter of fish and seafood products in Malaysia.

Stressing what Sabah can do to increase food supply the Minister said, "62 percent of Sabah's food imports are items that can be grown or produced in the state.

Food cultivation will be a prominent feature of the country's economy and the main source of jobs. According to Yahya,  statistics shows that 43 percent , or 12.5 million of Malaysia's  population of 28.5 million, is made up of youths.

The Prime Minister's Department through PEMANDU (Performance Management & Delivery Unit) has made a forecast that by 2020, NKEA (National Key Economic Area) projects would create 3.3 million jobs. 75,000 of these jobs are in the agro food sectors.

According to one estimate, the agricultural sector will account for 20 billion or 4 percent  of GNI (Gross National Income) in 2009, and 49 billion GNI is the  2020 target. He added that the Ministry 's goal is to increase the farmers' income by 2 to 4 times in rural areas relying on youths as the future successors in the field. - Insight Sabah