Kota Kinabalu: State and Federal agencies must continue working closely to strengthen Sabah's agriculture, fisheries and food industries, says Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
He said agencies should complement rather than compete with each other by sharing expertise, facilities and services to benefit farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders and rural communities.
Speaking after a meet-the-people session with KPKM Inc. Sabah agencies on Tuesday, Jamawi said both State and Federal agencies had agreed to strengthen cooperation and maximise the use of available resources.
He also reiterated the State Government's stand to defer the Budi MySubsidi Diesel mechanism until improvements are made to address Sabah's needs, adding that proposals had been submitted to the Federal Government.
Jamawi said higher operating costs caused by the subsidy mechanism could affect padi production in Sabah and urged equal support for local farmers to boost the state's rice self-sufficiency level.
