PITAS: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has handed over agricultural machinery worth RM910,000 to farmers under the Pitas and Kota Belud Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK).
The assistance includes two full rubber track tractors valued at RM340,000 and three mini harvesters worth RM570,000.
Additionally, through Agrobank, RM20, 000 in asnaf farmer contributions were distributed to 100 eligible recipients, each receiving RM200.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu personally presented the symbolic replica keys to Pitas PPK Board of Directors Chairman Datuk Ng Loi Tect.
Mohamad hopes the assistance would inspire farmers in Sabah, particularly in Pitas and Kota Belud to continue serving as the backbone of the nation’s food security.
He said Sabah has tremendous potential in the agricultural sector, which can flourish with three key elements, namely, a stable State Government with clear vision, close cooperation between State and Federal governments and strong grassroots support from farmers.
During his visit to the Paddy Estate Modernisation Project (MEP) site at Kampung Kabatasan Laut, Mohamad praised the impressive results achieved on 150 hectares involving 130 participants in Kg Kabatasan and Kg Sinasak Batu, where yields have doubled from three to six tonnes per hectare.
He acknowledged Pitas PPK’s applications for development allocation, including RM15 million for abandoned paddy fields involving 200 participants,and plans for MEP Phase Two in 2026 covering 42 hectares of idle fields with RM300,000 allocation.
Looking ahead, Phase Three (2027-2030) would involve 500 hectares across several villages including Kandang, Kadong, Liu, Padang Lapis, Rukom and Kibulu.
Mohamad noted that agriculture remains the third largest contributor to Sabah’s GDP, accounting for 15.2 per cent in 2023, with the crop subsector alone contributing over 76 per cent.
The 2024 Agricultural Census showed Sabah exceeding 105 per cent of its visitation targets, with Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu and Pitas among the top-performing districts.
