KOTA KINABALU: Sabah secondary schools should consider adopting school farm programs to strengthen food security and spark youth interest in agriculture.
Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said his ministry plans to expand the initiative next year in collaboration with the Sabah Education Department, offering technical guidance and resources.
“Because of standard operating procedures, our ministry cannot directly implement these programs without the Education Department’s involvement. Better cooperation between our ministry, the Education Ministry, and the Principals’ Association is essential,” Jamawi said after officiating the joint Sabah and Labuan Secondary School Principals’ Association convention here on Tuesday (Aug 4).
Jamawi highlighted that unused land within school compounds could be converted into farms for vegetables and fruit trees. The produce could be used for local consumption or sold to generate school income.
He cited Tenom’s Chung Hwa Secondary School, which manages 800 fruiting avocado trees expected to yield around RM300 per tree, and SM Tshung Tsin Tenom, which is planting 500 durian and avocado trees, as successful models.
However, Jamawi emphasised that proper coordination and official circulars from the Education Department are necessary to provide clear guidelines and avoid confusion.
