KOTA KINABALU: The school farm programme, aimed at fostering awareness of food security and agricultural entrepreneurship among students, is expected to be expanded on a large scale in Sabah from next year.
State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the proposal has been submitted to the Sabah Education Department to be implemented in collaboration with his ministry.
He said that several schools offering agricultural subjects at Form Four level have already begun the initiative.
"However, for schools without agricultural subjects, parent-teacher associations (PTAs) are urged to help the schools, and our ministry will provide advisory services," he told reporters after attending the Kaamatan Festival and Teacher’s Day celebration at SM St Anthony in Tenom on Tuesday (June 16).
Jamawi, who is also the Melalap assemblyman, said all agricultural officers and agencies under the ministry have been told to help those schools interested in implementing the project.
"If the project is carried out in an orderly manner with cooperation from all parties, we may expand it on a large scale next year," he said.
For this year, Jamawi said the focus is on raising awareness about agriculture's importance among the younger generation.
He said food security awareness must be instilled early so that students understand agriculture is not only a source of food but also a business with income-generating potential.
"It must start early so our children understand that agriculture is a business and provides food for everyone in the community," he said.
Jamawi also explained that his ministry’s approach leaned towards field work.
"This approach allows officers to see problems first-hand and solve them more effectively.
"I want to bring my ministry closer to the rural community because they are the main consumers and producers of agricultural, fisheries, and food products," he added.
