Kota Kinabalu: State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar unveiled a two-pronged rescue plan involving 75 new farm machines to modernise rice cultivation and a drive to revive 15,000 acres of idle paddy land.
The rescue plan is designed to achieve 30 per cent self-sufficiency in just five years.
At the handover to LPBS (Sabah Padi and Rice Board) at KKIP, Jamawi said the machinery will support ageing farmers who can no longer work fields manually — a shift from past handouts, with built-in maintenance, service centres and training to ensure equipment lasts.
“These machines are not just given away, they come with full support so farmers can use them properly, year after year,” he stressed.
The new Mini Estate Scheme revives land unused for 8-10 years; six firms already started work, 19 more under review.
Kota Belud (8,000 acres) is the priority hub.
Six companies have already signed agreements with landowners and begun cultivation, while 19 more are being assessed.
Kota Belud is home to roughly 8,000 acres of paddy fields and leads the six designated granary areas.
“Districts beyond the core zones will also get machinery support, provided they show organised farming systems and clear plans to maintain the equipment,” Jamawi said.
