Sabah Unveils Six Year Plan To Boost Rural Agriculture And Food Security

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Sabah has launched a bold six-year initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in rural communities. — BERNAMA FILE PICKOTA KINABALU: Sabah has launched a bold six-year initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in rural communities.
Dubbed the Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER), the initiative will revitalise the rural economy through targeted programmes in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, entrepreneurship, and downstream industries.
Approved by the Sabah State Cabinet, RAER will run from 2025 to 2030, with an initial allocation of RM10 million in its first year.
The Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) will lead the implementation, coordinating efforts across ministries, departments, government agencies, government-linked companies, academic institutions, private sector partners, and community organisations.
"The initiative is set to directly benefit rural communities across Sabah, with a long-term vision of building resilient and productive rural economies that can contribute meaningfully to the state's overall growth," MAFFI said in a statement.
"Rather than relying on a single entity, RAER envisions the establishment of multiple implementing anchors, including from the commercial sector, to lead specific programme clusters, foster inter-agency coordination, and ensure delivery excellence across its components.
"The initiative is grounded in the belief that rural transformation must be a collective effort, involving policymakers, civil servants, community leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local residents," the statement said.
RAER also aims to promote collaboration through its unifying slogan, "Unity is Duty", encouraging all Sabahans to participate in the state's rural revitalisation movement.
The programme targets the participation of 100,000 individuals or rural households, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and operational excellence.
"It is projected to generate between RM2.0 billion and RM3.0 billion in economic value for Sabah by the end of its implementation period in 2030," the statement said.
The official launch of RAER will take place on May 1, 2025, in Tambunan, in conjunction with the Sabah Kaamatan Festival. - NST

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