KOTA BELUD: The Sabah Padi and Rice Board (LPBS) was officially launched to help the State Government reach its target of 30 per cent rice self-sufficiency by 2026 and 60 per cent by 2030.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said LPBS will take over padi development and management from the Agriculture Department, with full cooperation from all relevant state agencies.
He said Sabah currently produces only 22.8 per cent of its local rice needs, making the state heavily dependent on imports.
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');});Efforts will focus on six key districts with over 22,000 hectares of padi fields, while hill padi cultivation and the use of idle GLC-owned land will also be intensified.
Farmers were also encouraged to join the Agrobank Padi Cultivation Takaful Scheme, which offers protection against losses due to natural disasters, pests, and diseases.
Hajiji said this in a speech, delivered by Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, at the launching ceremony here.
