Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor agreed that the 2026 State-level Sabah Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNS) celebration should be held in the districts instead of being confined in Kota Kinabalu, to bring the programme closer to the people and benefit local farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen and traders.
He conveyed his agreement when receiving a courtesy call from the HPPNS 2026 Main Committee led by Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharam, who is also the committee’s Deputy Chairman, at Menara Kinabalu, Monday.
Also present were Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry (Maffi) Permanent Secretary Datuk Ts Jifrin Mohamad and members of the HPPNS 2026 Main Committee.
Ruslan said Hajiji was invited to officiate the HPPNS 2026 celebration, scheduled to be held in Tenom from Oct 23 to 25, with the official opening ceremony on Oct 24.
HPPNS 2026 is expected to attract about 20,000 visitors.
“The Chief Minister strongly agrees that the HPPNS celebration should be brought to the districts as this approach provides opportunities for local traders, while making it easier for farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen to bring their produce for exhibition and sale,” he said.
He said holding HPPNS in the districts would also allow local communities to visit the event, thereby helping to stimulate economic and business activities in the areas concerned.
According to him, holding the event in Tenom would also pave the way for HPPNS to be hosted on a rotational basis in other districts in the future, apart from Kota Kinabalu, while providing recognition through various awards to successful agricultural entrepreneurs, livestock breeders and fishermen.
