KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is reactivating efforts to boost local food production, including rice farming, as part of a broader push for food security.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the initiative at the state-level Kaamatan celebration, saying the festival serves as a timely reminder of the importance of agriculture.
“As we celebrate Kaamatan, we must also reflect on the significance of agriculture in our lives — especially padi farming, which has long been a symbol of our people’s resilience,” he said in his speech during the launching ceremony of Pesta Kaamatan 2025 at the Hongkod Koisaan hall, on Friday (May 30).
Hajiji said the state government is committed to strengthening Sabah’s food supply chain by revitalising initiatives to increase local rice output and reduce reliance on imported food.
These include the reactivation of the Sabah Paddy and Rice Board to improve the state’s self-sufficiency level (SSL), with the aim of achieving 30% rice SSL by next year and 60% by 2030.
“These efforts are not just about economic sustainability — they are also about preserving our culture and heritage that revolve around rice and farming traditions,” he said.
He added that the government is also focusing on improving the rural economy through modern agriculture, community-based tourism, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), under the Sabah Maju Jaya development blueprint.
Hajiji stressed that strong cooperation with the Federal Government would be crucial in ensuring that the state’s development policies translate into tangible benefits for the people.
“I am confident that our close relationship with the federal government will help accelerate the success of our state development agenda,” he said.
Beyond agriculture, Hajiji also emphasised that Kaamatan serves as a unifying force for Sabah’s multicultural society, bringing people together in the spirit of harmony, respect, and mutual appreciation.
“This festival is a reflection of our unity in diversity — Kaamatan belongs to everyone, and through it, we celebrate not only the harvest but also the values of togetherness that bind us as Sabahans,” he said.
He also noted that this year’s Kaamatan marks the 65th celebration since its official introduction in 1960, with the theme “Kaamatan Untuk Semua, Kaamatan For All, Kaamatan Montok Toinsanan”.
The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for gracing the celebration, calling his presence “a meaningful gesture of support for Sabah’s culture, people and aspirations.”
Kaamatan, also known as the Harvest Festival, is an annual cultural event celebrated by the Kadazan Dusun and Murut communities and has grown to reflect the state’s broader multicultural identity.
