Project to discover wild fungi and ginger in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: In an effort towards sustainable development and the conservation of the biological resources of Sabah, Yayasan Sabah Group signed an agreement with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on the Bioprospect Project and Development of Wild Fungi, Wild Ginger and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (TUB) on Tuesday at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
Signing on behalf of Yayasan Sabah Group was the Director of Yayasan Sabah, Dato’ Sri Haji Gulamhaidar @ Yusof bin Khan Bahadar while the Sabah Forestry Department was represented by the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan. Meanwhile, the University Malaysia Sabah was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim bin Haji Mohd Mansur.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Sabah, Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Haji Mohd Arif.
The TUB project intends to discover species of wild fungi and wild ginger in Sabah, particularly Tuhau, which has high commercial value potential to be marketed in the future as a proactive approach toward addressing global food security issues.
The TUB project has been carried out in the Yayasan Sabah Group’s conservation areas, namely Danum Valley, Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon, besides the Innoprise-FACE Rainforest Rehabilitation Project (INFAPRO) and Innoprise-IKEA Tropical Forest Rehabilitation Project (INIKEA) and other Permanent Forest Reserves in Sabah.
As stated in the signed memorandum of agreement, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) Federal Fund has successfully allocated RM5 million to the TUB Project for five years, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2025.
This project also aims to produce PhD and MSc graduates in related fields and to develop a collaborative network between academia and government agencies in the research field. In addition, this project has produced novel product and bio-chemical prototypes and integrated technological knowledge through demonstrations, publications and workshops to local communities and entrepreneurs.
The collaborative effort made thus far by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) and the Sabah Forestry Department is commendable for continuing to commit to supporting and channeling funds in preserving and conserving natural resources and the efforts of Yayasan Sabah Group and Universiti Malaysia Sabah in making the project a success.
Yayasan Sabah Group is confident that this TUB project will encourage progress in the field of research and development and led innovation, including in the downstream sector for the production of commercial products that will offer economic opportunities and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources in Sabah.
Similar, ‘Kehidupan dan Adat Suku Murut Tangala’ Kg. Inarad, Tongod’ and ‘Kepercayaan, Ritual dan Adat Suku Tombonuo, Lingkabau, Sugut’ books published by Yayasan Sabah Group, was launched by Arifin at the same ceremony.
The event was followed by a seminar on the TUB project and the latest findings of the project that has been implemented, which was participated by various departments, agencies, organisations, and institutions.
This seminar aims to raise awareness, particularly regarding the significance of the importance of protecting Sabah’s forest resources.