HIGHER learning institutions play an important role in ensuring the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan achieves its goal, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He cited the Ferti-Chillipreneur Komuniti Lestari (FCPKL) project at the Mara Technology University (UiTM) Sabah, Tawau campus as an example that could help realise the State Government’s aspiration to develop the State and its people through agriculture, one of the three main SMJ thrusts. Speaking at the presentation of the offer letter to participants of FCPKL at the UiTM Sabah Tawau campus in Tawau on Sept 6, Hajiji said UiTM’s commitment to contribute to society through the transfer of knowledge and sharing of smart technology, especially to the B40 groups, should be commended.
“Direct involvement of students as trainers can instill a modern farming mindset via agriculture transformation towards more high-tech, dynamic and global competitiveness.
“This coincides with the primary goal of the project, which is to use smart technology in chilli cultivation by fertigation. This project gives full emphasis to the agenda of modern agriculture by utilising databases, smart agricultural technology and the Internet of Things (IPB),” he said.
A progressive and quality human capital is one of the factors supporting transformation and modernisation of the agriculture industry that in turn helps to boost productivity, more systematic processing and marketing, as well as to ensure sufficient domestic food supply and for exports, added the Chief Minister.
He said the State Government hoped the project would create an economic spill-over, in addition to employment for the local populace and nearby areas. The two-year programme involved 120 participants, particularly single parents, army retirees, people with special needs and unemployed graduates, cultivating 100 acres.
Hajiji also commended the group of UiTM Sabah researchers - Lestari (Leading Edge Technology Applications for Robust Impact) for initiating the RM7.5 million project acquired through the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Fund (DPUB). UiTM Sabah has also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Teraju (Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera) for strategic cooperation.
The Chief Minister said the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah - Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) State Government is committed to its development agenda for the people and the State, particularly through agriculture, having allocated RM561.81 million in the 2022 Budget for the sector.
According to Hajiji, several successes have already been achieved in enhancing the State’s agriculture sector, among them the 2,000 hectares high-yield coconut plantation project launched in Paitan, Beluran in March of this year. Once fully operational, the high-yield coconut project, a high-impact investment under the SMJ plan, is expected to generate RM1.2 billion annually and provide 4,000 jobs for locals.
“Empowerment of the Bumiputera agenda and Malaysian Family is among the main goals of the five-year 12th Malaysia Plan targeting 15 per cent contribution from the micro, small and medium Bumiputera enterprises to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.
“A total of RM11.4 billion has been allocated in 2022 to ensure the Bumiputera empowerment agenda is given priority to narrow the gap among races in Malaysia,” he said.
Of the amount, he said RM4.8 billion was set aside for the implementation of capacity building programmes and business funding. These objectives are in line with the fourth and fifth plans of the SMJ 1.0 to improve the people’s economy and build up human capital, especially the local community, in Sabah. Also present were the State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, UiTM Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Ts Dr Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor, Teraju Chief Executive Officer Datuk Md Silmi Abdul Rahman, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Nizam Titingan, Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy and Balung Assemblyman Hamild @ Hamid Awang.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.