KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has launched a 100ha padi pilot project in the northern Kota Marudu district to increase the state’s self-sufficiency level (SSL),
The project would be implemented at Kampung Ongkilan through its government-linked company (GLC), Sawit Kinabalu Group, and the Agriculture Department.
“Sabah’s populace needs at least 400,000 tonnes of rice annually, while domestic rice production could only supply 20% of the state’s consumption,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the launch on Tuesday (Aug 13)
He added that the initiative would boost Sabah’s SSL to 60% by 2030.
Sawit Kinabalu, the state’s palm oil industry investment arm, will use its resources and technology to operate and maintain the RM5mil project’s rice cultivation operation and maintenance.
Hajiji said the district has about 2,600ha of abandoned or idle padi fields.
“I want more GLCs in Sabah to emulate Sawit Kinabalu’s efforts,” he said.
The Chief Minister also wanted unutilised lands belonging to GLCs developed for agriculture, especially padi, with assistance from the state Agriculture, Fishery, and Food Industry Ministry.
“I have high hopes that Sawit Kinabalu’s padi cultivation project will boost the Group’s profit,” Hajiji said.
He said that to develop Kota Marudu, Sawit Kinabalu is investing in other programmes like the barramundi fish (siakap) breeding project in Langkon.
“I urge all government departments and relevant agencies to always take proactive action in bolstering the state’s main economic growth sectors as stipulated in the direction of the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan,” Hajiji said.
