Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai discussing agricultural development and potential collaborations in the Kiulu sub-district with Senior Tuaran Agriculture Officer Nor Shafareena Hamsa and her team at the Tuaran Agriculture Office.
KOTA KINABALU: Kiulu is on the right track to maximise its agricultural potential, strengthening the local economy through improved infrastructure, strategic planning, and effective knowledge transfer, says assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
He said this progress was achieved through collaboration between the Kiulu State Assemblyman’s Office, the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and the Tuaran Agriculture Department.
The initiative aims to aggressively develop agriculture following Kiulu’s successful transformation into a rural tourism destination.
"Agriculture and tourism complement each other and have the potential to significantly reshape Kiulu’s rural landscape.
"With better infrastructure, strategic planning, and effective knowledge transfer, we can create opportunities that not only enhance agricultural productivity but also enrich nature-based tourism experiences," he said in a statement on Thursday (March 13).
Bangkuai held discussions with Senior Tuaran Agriculture Officer Nor Shafareena Hamsa and her team at the Tuaran Agriculture Office on Wednesday (March 13) to explore agricultural development opportunities in Kiulu and potential collaborations.
During the discussion, he was informed that Kiulu was selected for a pilot high-yield paddy cultivation project, launched in Kampung Tompinahaton late last year.
To support agricultural development, Bangkuai has allocated RM1.5mil from his constituency funds to upgrade existing farm roads and construct new ones.
"According to records from the Kiulu Sub-District Office, there are 73 farm roads in Kiulu, and we plan to upgrade a significant number of them.
"This year, about 40 roads will be improved, while several new roads will also be built," he said.
Bangkuai stressed the need to equip young people, particularly unemployed graduates, with knowledge and motivation to venture into agriculture and tourism while waiting for job placements.
"This initiative aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap, which prioritises the agricultural sector as a key driver of economic growth and aims to reduce food import dependency," he added.
He also revealed plans to establish a pineapple and ginger processing plant, along with a packaging facility for hill paddy in Kiulu.
"Although Kiulu is a rural area, we are optimistic that with the right planning, Kiulu can thrive in tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing in line with the SMJ development plan," he said.
Bangkuai envisions Kiulu as a model for integrated rural development, benefiting all segments of the community through economic empowerment and job creation.
"Our goal is to make Kiulu a benchmark for rural development, where agriculture and tourism work hand in hand to uplift the local community," he said.
