Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNS) celebration in Tenom from Oct 23 to 25 will feature activities for all age groups, from kindergarten children to senior citizens aged 60 and above.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the activities were aimed at raising awareness of the role of agriculture, fisheries and livestock in driving the national economy.
He said this during an interview on RTM Sabah’s Kita Cerita programme here.
“The Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen’s Day celebration will involve all age groups, from kindergarten children to senior citizens aged 60 and above.
“Various activities have been prepared to help everyone understand that the agriculture, fisheries and livestock industries are among the sectors driving the national economy,” he said.
Jamawi said Tenom was chosen as this year’s venue based on reports and agricultural production statistics showing that the district was among Sabah’s leading producers of fruits and other agricultural products.
He said Tenom produced about 20 containers of pomelos weekly, alongside high avocado production. Bananas from Tenom also recorded an output of about five containers a week, while coffee remained another key agricultural product from the district.
Jamawi said Tenom’s quality agricultural produce should serve as an example for other farmers in Sabah seeking to increase the State’s agricultural output.
The celebration would also recognise 50 individuals comprising farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, rubber smallholders and full-time food producers, he said.
Modern machinery, including tractors, planting machines and rice harvesters, would also be awarded to farmers who had demonstrated the ability to produce about eight tonnes of paddy per hectare.
“The average paddy yield in Sabah is only about five tonnes per hectare. However, in Tenom, particularly in Kampung Kali Batang and Kampung Merais, farmers can produce eight tonnes per hectare.
“We are providing incentives and modern machinery so they can continue to achieve higher yields,” he said.
Meanwhile, 10 inland fishermen would receive fishing equipment, including boats and outboard engines, in recognition of their contributions.
Jamawi said the initiative aimed to address the fact that inland fishermen had long received less attention than their marine counterparts.
The celebration will also revive the Coffee Festival, last held in 2015, with organisers aiming to enter the Malaysia Book of Records through a simultaneous coffee-pulling activity involving about 2,000 participants.
The event will feature about 200 exhibition booths and 100 stalls selling agricultural products. Another attraction will be the Agro Seafood Festival, featuring a row of stalls stretching about 200 feet and offering seafood and fisheries products at reasonable prices.
Other activities at the Tenom Community Hall will include a drawing competition for kindergarten children, cycling activities and sporting events. The Kilauan Emas Festival will also be held on the night of Oct 23 for participants aged about 55 and above.
Jamawi said a special express train service would operate on Oct 23, 24 and 25 to facilitate travel for visitors attending the celebration.
Approved by the Sabah State Railway Department, the service would stop only at Papar and Beaufort, compared with the regular service, which stops at nearly 20 locations between Tanjung Aru and Tenom.
“With this service, the journey from Kota Kinabalu to Tenom will take about four hours. A return ticket will cost approximately RM15,” he said.
The train would depart from Tanjung Aru at 7.30am and arrive in Tenom at 10am. The return service would leave Tenom at 3pm and arrive at Tanjung Aru at 7pm.
Jamawi said the service would allow visitors to enjoy the celebration, purchase agricultural products and bring their families on a train ride without having to drive long distances.
However, capacity would be limited to 180 passengers a day.
Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary Maria David Edick and RTM Sabah Broadcasting director Mohd Yusni Mohamed Ali.
