Good potential for success in agriculture – Yahya
KOTA KINABALU: The agriculture industry has the potential to generate just as much success as any other industry in the country, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.
He said farmers, breeders and fishermen should be looked up to as role models to the future generation, as it has been proven before that the industry can even bring luxury if it is done right.
“I urge all the departments and agencies under my ministry (the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry) to continue to double up their efforts in helping the people of the agriculture industry to reach their goal.
“We have to believe that this industry can bring luxury to its players and thus eliminating the poverty stigma that has always been equated to it. In reality, poverty is an issue that we must fight, not inherited,” Yahya said at the launching ceremony of the Hari Peladang, Penternak, Nelayan Sabah 2017 (HPPNS) convention at Grand Borneo Hotel yesterday.
Yahya also stressed that the various departments and agencies under the State Government had always been a strong supporter for the agriculture industry.
He cited the RM300 living allowance allocated by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) for the local fisherman as one of the many initiatives taken by the State Government.
It is understood that the allowance is distributed monthly to over 16,000 fishermen living in the state, costing over RM57,000 a year.
Anik Jinuis of Telipok, who was among the 130 participants who took part in the two-day convention also agreed on the call by Yahya to elevate the agriculture industry of the state.
Anik runs a Kelulut bee (or also known as stingless honey bees) farm and his success can easily debunk the negative stigma surrounding the agriculture industry.
“The stigma is not true at all. We (the farmers) cannot accept this mentality. It has been proven that agriculture can be a good business asset if we follow the right path, we can surely achieve success in the agriculture industry,” said Anik who ventured in the Kelulut business back in November 2015, following the approval by the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
Since then, he has been enjoying tremendous success as he now owns 1,800 lots of Kelulut nests.
His company, Nikmah Trigona Farm, is able to produce not less than 80 kilograms of Kelulut honey every month, generating a monthly gross income of not less than RM12,000.
Other than Kelulut honey itself, Anik’s company is also able to produce additional products such as soaps, facial foams, fragrance products and Propolis.
“I am very thankful for all the support that the government has given us throughout the years. They are very committed in giving us the platform and opportunity to start our business, thus paving the way for our success,” the 51year-old added.
Anik runs his business together with the help of his wife, Salma Singa and daughter, Alferra Rozanikmah J. Jinuis.