TAWAU: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has allocated RM86.66 million for Sabah this year to implement 42 agricultural, fisheries and livestock development projects.
Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup announced the funding at the launch of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 celebration on Saturday, pointing out the Federal and State governments’ commitment to strengthening the sector through policy planning, technical support programs and rural infrastructure investment.
He said Sabah’s rich natural resources and biodiversity is a strong foundation for agri-food sector development.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The State contributes significantly to the national agri-food sector, accounting for seven to 10 percent of the State’s GDP annually.
Under the Land Use Optimisation Programme in cooperation with the State Government, the Ministry has channelled RM29.38 million for 19 quick-win projects that can be implemented within the current year.
These include the Sabah Volcanic Sweet (SVS) pineapple production plot development project covering four hectares at the Quoin Hill Agricultural Research Centre in Tawau.
Sabah ranks as a major contributor to Malaysia’s fisheries industry, providing approximately 14.5 per cent of the country’s capture fisheries and 45.6 per cent of the aquaculture sector.
Tawau alone contributed over 27,000 metric tons of capture fisheries (13.5 per cent) and 67,000 metric tons from aquaculture (27.3 per cent) to Sabah’s total production last year.
The government continues supporting fishermen’s welfare through various initiatives via the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority, including the Fishermen’s Living Allowance that benefits over 38,000 fishermen nationwide, including 7,496 in Sabah.
Additionally, 5,600 Sabahan fishermen receive subsidised diesel and petrol at RM1.65 per litre.
Under the Special Fishermen Housing Project, RM2 million was allocated for Sabah, including RM300, 000 for Tawau benefiting 15 families.
The Natural Disaster and Fishermen Welfare Fund has assisted 74 fishermen in Sabah as of May 2025.