Sabah aims for self-sufficiency for all crops

TAWAU: The state government will continue to focus on increasing food self-sufficiency for all crops, especially padi to meet the needs of at least two-thirds of the population, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said.

He said greater self-sufficiency would reduce reliance on imported rice and ensure that adequate supply of staple foods.

“I hope the State Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry can play an effective role in achieving the self-sufficiency under the Third Sabah Agricultural Policy (DPNS3) strategy.

“The state and federal governments will continue to work on various programmes and initiatives to enhance the knowledge and output of breeders, farmers and fishermen,” he said at the launch of the state-level Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day here yesterday.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Jaujan Sambakong.

Mohd Shafie said in this context, the food production level should be raised by three to four per cent per annum to accommodate the population growth.

He said the state government would always assist and support long-term programmes in order to improve the socio-economic status of farmers, breeders and fishermen.

“To maintain food safety and quality, new technologies and research (and development) programmes needed to be refined and enhanced.

“New technological innovations are very important in the agricultural sector in the face of the challenging world economic situation,” he said, adding that the state’s livestock and fishery industries have great potential to be developed.

He affirmed that the state’s natural environment would be preserved and conserved in tandem with agriculture development.