KIULU: Kiulu has the potential to become a key hill paddy production area in Sabah by leveraging its hilly terrain and extensive agricultural land, said Kiulu Assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Speaking at the Kitchen Garden Roadshow programme, he called on the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry (Maffi) to explore the district's potential as a strategic hub for hill paddy cultivation, noting that Kampung Tomis Jaya and Tomis Mangi Pangi had been identified for consideration under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security's Hill Paddy Assistance Scheme.
Joniston, who is also Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said data on villagers interested in hill paddy cultivation and suitable land would be compiled with the cooperation of Kampung Development and Security Committee chairmen to support effective planning, targeted assistance and implementation.
He said about RM3 million from his annual assemblyman allocation had been channelled since last year to construct and upgrade around 90 agricultural roads, benefiting nearly 2,000 farmers and providing access to almost 5,000 acres of agricultural land.
Joniston, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman, said Kiulu was also expanding its agro-tourism potential through a planned Memorandum of Collaboration with Cittaslow-listed Maijia in Pingtung Province, Taiwan, while noting that the district currently has more than 80 tourism operators and is expected to become Malaysia's first Cittaslow-recognised destination.