KOTA KINABALU: This year's Kaamatan (harvest festival), with the theme "Kaamatan Ensouls Nature”, will focus on nature conservation following climate change, as well as the preservation of paddy and fruit crops that are facing extinction.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and state-level Kaamatan main committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the committee will also prioritise rewarding farmers for their performance and productivity in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) directive to encourage better agriculture produce.
“This is given attention besides the normal annual events like cultural performances, Unduk Ngadau (beauty pageant) and Sugandoi (singing competition),” he said during the launch of Kaamatan month held at the Keningau Handicraft Centre on Sunday (May 1).
Kitingan pointed out Kaamatan's important role as a platform to showcase unity and promote tourism.
Keningau district was chosen for this year’s festival launch because of historical factors among others, as it is the first place the Kaamatan celebration was launched statewide back in 1956, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said in officiating the event that Kaamatan was an important celebration not only for the Kadazandusun Murut and Rungus (KDMR) community but also for other communities in Sabah, so it was important to continue it as a platform to celebrate culture and foster unity.
He said unity and cooperation were very important and should not be dismissed as trivial matters, as Sabah folk of diverse backgrounds had been able to coexist in harmony for generations.
“Intermarriage has seen families of varied races and beliefs as one big family and we have been able to accept and respect each other, where we all come together to celebrate festive occasions.
“From a young age, we grew up accepting this fact. Hence, I find it very dangerous if anyone or any quarters try to subvert the unity we have cultivated and fostered for generations,” he stressed.
In line with the Kaamatan spirit, he also reiterated the state’s plan to boost its rice and other agricultural output.
“The state government has allocated RM561.81mil for agriculture, which is a productive sector in providing food for the people, jobs and business as well as raw materials for the manufacturing sector.
“All efforts have been taken to ensure Sabah doubles its current food production by 2030,” he said, adding that he was glad the state Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry has succeeded in modernising and doubling the paddy crop harvest in Sabah.
At the same time, the state Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day celebration was held simultaneously with the Kaamatan festival launch on Sunday to show appreciation to these groups in Sabah for their contribution to the state’s economic growth, he added.