KENINGAU: More than 80 village heads, Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairpersons and government agency representatives gathered in Bingkor recently to strengthen their understanding of sustainable land management and environmentally friendly farming practices through the Malaysia Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (MY-FOLUR) Programme.
Under the MY-FOLUR initiative, approximately 200,000 hectares of land across Sabah have been identified for restoration and sustainable management, with Nabawan, Keningau, Sook and Tenom designated as key intervention areas due to their significant agricultural potential and ecological importance.
Held at the Bingkor Community Hall, the programme was jointly organised by the Keningau District Office, UPPM N.40 Bingkor and the MY-FOLUR implementing agencies, underscoring the Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture while safeguarding Sabah’s natural resources for future generations.
As climate change, land degradation and increasing demand for food continue to pose significant challenges to the agricultural sector, MY-FOLUR advocates an integrated approach that ensures agricultural development and environmental conservation progress hand in hand.
The initiative is designed not only to improve agricultural productivity but also to restore degraded landscapes and protect the natural resources that serve as the backbone of rural livelihoods.
The programme also highlighted the important role of community leaders in encouraging responsible land use, promoting sustainable farming methods and raising environmental awareness within their respective villages.
Organisers expressed hope that the knowledge shared during the programme would empower grassroots leaders to become catalysts for sustainable rural development by encouraging farming practices that improve food security while preserving biodiversity and protecting the environment.
Beyond introducing technical knowledge, the programme reaffirmed that sustainable agriculture is not solely about increasing crop yields, but about ensuring that the land, forests and water resources supporting rural communities today remain productive and resilient for generations to come.