Sabah continues to record the highest poverty incidence in the country, with rural communities bearing the brunt of the economic divide, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Deep within the state’s rural interior, the need for sustainable livelihood support remains critical for women striving to break the cycle of poverty.
In Kampung Sinaron Tengah, a village in Sook, Keningau, women have long balanced household responsibilities with small-scale farming for minimal returns.
For these B40 households, the challenge has never been hard work, but limited access to the knowledge and resources needed to turn their small plots into viable income sources.
To bridge this gap, Women of Will (WoW), a non-profit organisation empowering women, implemented the Empowering B40 Women Farmers in Sabah project last year, backed by the Star Social Impact Grant (SSIG).
In a media statement, SSIG said the community-based organic farming initiative was designed to strengthen the livelihoods and confidence of rural women.
The project directly supported 25 women farmers in the village, while about 300 family and community members have benefited indirectly via improved food production and household resilience.
Participants underwent structured, hands-on training in organic farming, compost preparation and basic farm management.
The programme also introduced simple financial literacy and business planning, while peer learning sessions created a safe space for women to grow together.
For many, it was their first exposure to systematic farming and income planning.
As the programme progressed, participants started cultivating their plots more efficiently.
Some produced surplus vegetables, marking their first step toward consistent income generation.
Equally important were the intangible gains.
Many women said they were more confident in managing their farms and planning future crop cycles.
In areas like Sook, where economic participation is often restricted by geography and traditional roles, such shifts are transformative.
SSIG added that WoW’s initiative complemented the government’s aspirations to strengthen women’s economic participation under the National Women’s Policy (DWN) 2025–2030.
While progress in Kampung Sinaron Tengah is in its infancy, the momentum is palpable.
Land once used solely for survival is now being repurposed for a greater economic goal.
More importantly, the women behind these efforts are beginning to see new possibilities for their families.
As the world marks International Women’s Day this month, the 25 women’s journey is a reminder that empowerment begins with small steps.
With sustained support, the seeds planted today may grow into lasting change for rural communities across Sabah.
The SSIG is now in its sixth year.
For details, visit www.starmediagroup.my/star-foundation/star-social-impact-grant.
