Six-year rural agricultural revolution to drive economic growth, food security - Borneo Post Online (2025)

KOTA KINABALU (April 16): Sabah is embarking on an ambitious six-year plan to revitalise its rural economy and strengthen food security through a state-wide Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER), which was officially approved by the State Cabinet on March 26 this year.

In his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly today, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan emphasised the central role agriculture plays in the state’s development. He described the sector as a key economic driver with immense potential to uplift rural communities and improve household incomes.

According to him, the new initiative will focus on transforming idle rural land into productive agricultural zones, boosting output and reducing the dependence on food imports. It also aims to generate income for targeted groups, particularly those living in poverty and extreme poverty, while simultaneously addressing unemployment and unlocking Sabah’s rural economic potential.

The government has set aside an annual allocation of RM10 million to implement RAER, amounting to RM60 million over the six-year period between 2025 and 2030.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) will serve as the lead agency in coordinating the effort, working closely with various government departments, agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs), and relevant stakeholders.

Jeffrey outlined that RAER will prioritise the use of Native Title (NT) lands, which cover an estimated three million hectares across Sabah. Of this total, 10 per cent, or about 300,000 hectares will be identified and utilised for community-based agricultural development. These lands include village territories and plots owned by state or MAFFI-affiliated agencies deemed suitable for agriculture.

The initiative will support the cultivation of high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables and the premium Musang King durian. Other components include the expansion of coffee and cocoa farming, freshwater aquaculture development, livestock breeding involving broilers, layers, village chickens and ruminants, as well as the promotion of agro-based industries and downstream processing activities.

The RAER programme will also place a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, with the government aiming to directly involve at least 100,000 individuals or households.

Public awareness campaigns will be launched to ensure widespread understanding and participation among rural communities, while collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and the people will be promoted under the slogan “Unity is Duty.”

To ensure smooth and effective implementation, a dedicated unit will be established within the ministry to monitor progress, resolve bottlenecks and propose improvements. This unit will work closely with agencies such as the Sabah Agricultural Marketing Authority (SAMA), the Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Industry (KPD), and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).

Jeffrey acknowledged that extreme weather and frequent natural disasters pose a growing threat to agricultural production and food security. He stressed that the government is taking proactive steps through initiatives like RAER to ensure Sabah remains resilient and becomes a major agricultural producer, not only within Malaysia but across Asia.

In support of the RAER vision, the state will also implement a Modernised Paddy Planting and Production Programme under the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board. This programme will employ modern farming techniques, mechanisation, off-season planting, and the use of high-yield paddy varieties to improve output and reduce reliance on imported rice.

In tandem with these efforts, the State Cabinet approved the establishment of the Sabah Agricultural Marketing Authority (SAMA) on 12 March 2025. SAMA will serve as a central body to regulate, manage and market agricultural produce, particularly from rural areas. It is designed to assist small-scale farmers who have struggled to commercialise their products due to limited access to markets and a reliance on subsistence farming.

The minister said SAMA will ensure that rural farmers can focus on improving production without being burdened by marketing challenges. By streamlining access to markets and promoting commercial viability, SAMA is expected to play a key role in accelerating rural development and contributing to Sabah’s broader economic transformation.