A Permanent Food Production Park in Putatan

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin together with Director of Agriculture Department Datuk MC Ismail Salam checking on a rock melon during the inspection of food production park site in Putatan.

The 5 hectares permanent food production park in Putatan is expected to generate RM5 million income by its first year of production in 2014.

The park which costs RM10,365,000 is financed by the federal government as part of the government’s strategy to develop a permanent place for food production on a commercial scale using high technology agriculture practices.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin said the park was planned to help the country to cope with the rising demand for vegetables and fruits.

“This permanent food production park will increase our food production and reduce food imports. The project can also encourage the private sector to participate in food production. It will provide jobs as well as optimise agricultural yields.

“As far as food is concerned our balance of trade is not satisfactory so we are trying to meet the domestic demands first before considering exports,” Yahya told reporters during the inspection of the park at the Putatan Integrated Agricultural Training Centre today.

He said that rock melon will be the first crop to be cultivated. Later other high valued crops such as eggplant and chilli will be produced.

There are four more permanent food production park projected soon apart from the one at Putatan and one in Tawau. There will be  one in Sungai Lokan Kinabatangan which covers 723 hectares and Padawan Mandalipau in Papar which will have 517 hectares, Sungai Koyah Kinabatangan with 80 hectares, and 15 hectares in Masilou, Kundasang which will produce fruits and vegetables.

The Director of Sabah Agriculture Department, Datuk M.C Ismail Salam disclosed that the permanent food production park in Tawau which is the first food production centre in Sabah has collected an income of more than RM1 million so far.

M.C Ismail said that he expected that the programme in Putatan will also yield a high return and create jobs for the local people.

“11 participants including graduates in agriculture will be selected to participate in the Putatan permanent food production project. The candidates will go through a screening process to ensure the success of the project,” he said.

He also told reporters that the Putatan permanent food production parks project will use rock melon seeds imported from Japan and will be cultivated in sheltered plots.

The commercial price of rock melon imported from Australia sold in Malaysia fetches as much as RM76 each.

Source: Insight Sabah 

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Agriculture projects under SDC to herald a new, bright future

KUDAT: The most-awaited agriculture-based projects which are currently being implemented by the state government under Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) in the northern part of Sabah heralds a new, bright future for thousands of people in this area.

Statistics indicated that, for now, northern Sabah — covering the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas —still has a high population of hardcore poor or a high incidence of poverty.

But thanks to the 1Malaysia’s Government Transformation Programme (GTP) initiative taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, this region is now enjoying tremendous growth and development, particularly in the  agricultural sector.

In what is seen as a new dawn for this area and its people, Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Johari, Chief Executive, Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), a one-stop authority for SDC, said the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also chairman of Sedia, has devised a special strategy in tackling poverty in northern Sabah.

One of the SDC’s key projects for that purpose is the agropolitan project in Pitas, he told Bernama, here.

While describing Sabah’s agriculture sector policy as among the best in the country, Mohd Yaakub said, “This project will transform the infrastructure landscape of the coastal areas in northern Sabah, particularly in raising the residents’ income as well as assist in reducing the poverty level.

“Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), we will develop four roads totalling 53.1 kilometres (km) in four villages to ensure the project’s success,” he said.

He said the completed roads are the 8km road that connects Sosop and Mandamai Bai (Pitas) costing about RM15 million, the 7.6km Jalan Kampung Kiandut-Torungguh (RM11.6 million) and the 29.2km Jalan Jambu-Liu-Malubang costing RM26 million.

The other road project is the upgrading of the 8.3km Jalan Pantai-Delima costing some RM9.3 million which is targeted for completion by year-end, he said.

Mohd Yaakub said besides building roads, residential development are also provided especially for participants of the Pitas agripolitan project, and to date a total of 260 units of houses were completed.

“We have also provided facilities such as electricity supply to the houses to ensure the residents enjoy the basic facilities for a comfortable living,” he said.

According to him, under the Pitas agropolitan project, focus is given to rubber planting on a large scale. Towards this end, he said a 3,600-hectare (ha) area has been allocated for development in Bengkoka, which is expected to benefit 900 people.

“A portion of the land was planted with rubber trees which have already been  tapped, and the minimum income for each family is about RM3,000. This is a good indication for participants of the Pitas agropolitan project,” he said.

Mohd Yaakub said the development of infrastructure facilities in the area does not only provide convenience to local residents but “gives the signal to investors to invest in the area”.

“This is important because if investors do not come here to invest, then the government will carry the burden of allocating the development expenditure.

“Whatever we have provided, whether roads, electricity or water supply, all these are hoped to be able to convince entrepreneurs who have the capital to invest…and together with the local residents to increase the economic standard  in a sustainable way,” he said.

Mohd Yaakub said under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (Second Rolling Plan), SDC also places emphasis on sea cucumber farming in four selected coastal villages involving 80ha of land and 50 participants.

“If this project is successful, it is able to provide income of up to RM1,000 per month to the participants.

We also plan to develop shrimp farming with private entrepreneurs in Telaga covering a 536ha area.

“The shrimp farming, involving 400 participants, will also able to generate income up to RM1,409 per month,” he said.

Apart from the agropolitian project, Mohd Yaakub said there are other programmes for the area designed to address the issues of poverty “in a manner that could be sustainable”.

He said this was made possible following the alignment of the GTP introduced by Najib and the SDC programmes.

“Firstly, we have identified swiftlet farming.

In fact we have just tested the enthusiasm of the local people in Sabah.

“A few days ago we organised a course on swiftlet farming, and it was very well received and we have to organise two sessions each for about 100 participants.

“People at various levels of educational background participated in this seminar.

We believe that swiftlet farming has great potential and will benefit the people in the northern areaa such as Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas,” he  said.

Mohd Yaakub said these were targeted areas for swiftlet farming and hoped this project would become a reality soon.

“For this purpose, we will have areas for bird’s nest processing unit, a hatchery, nursery and feed production unit…it’s so complete.

That’s why we will invite private investment for this swiftlet project,” he said.

He said there was also a proposal to establish an Integrated Marine Fish Culture project in Limau-Limauan, Kudat.

In this respect, Mohd Yaakub said Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Development Cooperative (Ko-Nelayan) has identified some 400ha of land and sea as suitable for marine fish cage farming in Kudat.

The project will consist of a hatchery, nurseries, grow-out cages, a feedmill and production facility of live feed, he added.

Mohd Yaakub said the hatchery is expected to produce 135 million of hybrid and high grade fish fingerlings to supply various fish cage culture operators in Sabah.

He said the cages are expected to produce 28,000 metric tonnes annually of hybrid and high-grade, high-value fish for export to China and Hong Kong. — Bernama

Source : Borneo Post

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Have agricultural expos in all districts in Sabah – Musa

PUTATAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants agricultural expos to be held in all districts in Sabah as a platform to expose local farmers to the latest development in the sector.

Such events, he said, could help in disseminating information on new findings that could be applied by the agriculture communities to improve their income and help retain the sector as one of the major economic earners for the state.

Speaking at the launch of Putatan Agricultural Expo 2012, Musa said the agriculture sector had been identified as one of the major focuses under the state’s development Halatuju launched in 2003, alongside the tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Apart from reducing dependency on imported food products, further development of this sector would also help improve the income of Sabahans, he said.

“I believe the expo here today would benefit the target group and everyone involved … And I am confident that with the cooperation of all parties in this district, it will propel the growth of the agriculture and agro-based industry not only here locally but in the whole state, and make us a major food producer in the country.

“This is why I must propose that the ministry (of agriculture and food industry) expands this event to other districts so that agricultural potential of each district can be fully developed and utilized,” he said.

Musa stressed that it was the hope of the state government that farmers, breeders and fishermen communities across Sabah continue to improve themselves by incorporating new technologies into their operations.

By doing so, he said they would be able to significantly improve their output and revenues and prove the old perception that agriculture is a low income industry for the poor, is wrong.

“Agriculture could be a lucrative business if done right,” Musa asserted.

Met after the launching, he said many agricultural development projects and programmes had been successfully implemented in Sabah and had greatly benefited farmers and local agro-based businesses.

As such, Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said he would request the federal government to provide more allocations to fund similar projects in the future.

The state government, he added, would also implement more programmes aimed at encouraging more people to participate and benefit from the sector, and promote awareness that agriculture is a lucrative industry.

“Improving the income of the farmers would translate to improvement of the overall economy of the state … we are on the right track to move forward,” he said.

He also said the promising potential in agriculture, coupled with political stability and vast fertile land in Sabah had attracted major international players to come in and invest in the sector.

Among the latest ones, he noted, was an American company which was looking to develop a multi-billion fruit planting project in Sabah.

“Apart from the lobster project that I mentioned before this, there is also a US-based company who wants to come in. We are currently looking for a suitable site for the project and in discussions to find out which agency would be best to collaborate with them.

“Many investors are coming to Sabah because they are convinced of the political stability we have. That is why we do not encourage street demonstration that could undermine this stability, this will not benefit anyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin in his welcoming remarks said the Integrated Agricultural Complex in Putatan could be developed into an attractive agro-tourism destination.

He said the complex dubbed as the ‘Green Lung of Putatan’ could be packaged as a tourism product to attract both local and foreign visitors.

“I was also made to understand that this five-hectare complex will be developed as a permanent food production park that will lead in intensive high-tech farming. This project represents an opportunity for the local community in Putatan to venture into this field and become agro entrepreneurs,” he added.


Source: Borneo Post
Picture: Malaysiandigest

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Environment, Waste Management & Agriculture

A company at Malaysia called Azed Bina Sdn Bhd has involved in biomass material recycling into renewable energy (heat & electricity) and ash for the production of organic fertiliser.

The company has developed an economical and environmental friendly system know as the Bio-Waste Recycling System (BRS) to recycle organic waste. Which involved in 4 sectors; Research, Environment & Waste Management, Renewable Energy and Engineering Design & Fabrication.

Recycling Centre for large food manufacturers; Nestle and Ajinomoto in Malaysia. Recycle expired food products into organic fertiliser and animal feed and broken wooden pallets into biomass materials.

 

 

Agriculture - organic fertilizer production (Soygrow Brand), supply and distribution to organic farms.

 Resources recycling for commercial purposes, alleviate environmental burden and at the same time increasing business opportunities in Malaysia.


Source: azedbinasdnbhd.blogspot.com

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What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.

 

Characteristics of this type of agriculture include:

• Conservation and preservation. What is taken out of the environment is put back in, so land and resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future generations. The waste from sustainable farming stays within the farm’s ecosystem and cannot cause buildup or pollution. In addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs and fossil fuel use, and is as locally-based as possible.
• Biodiversity. Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are used minimally and only when necessary; many sustainable farms do not use any form of chemicals.
• Animal welfare. Animals are treated humanely and with respect, and are well cared for. They are permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting or pecking, and are fed a natural diet appropriate for their species.
• Economically viable. Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from the government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.
• Socially just. Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They work in a safe environment and are offered proper living conditions and food.

In 1990, the US government defined sustainable agriculture in Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1683, as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”

The confusion with sustainable agriculture is that the definition is more a philosophy or way of life than a strict set of rules, and farmers can interpret the meaning differently. In addition, there is no legal obligation to follow any of the criteria for sustainability, so food can be labeled sustainable when in actuality it isn’t. Many terms that describe this type of food, such as natural or cage free, do not have a legal or clear definition (though the USDA is currently working on this). For example, cage-free chickens might not be raised in cages, but they could be raised in overcrowded conditions in indoor barns, which is still inhumane. See our Sustainable Dictionary for an explanation of these confusing labels.

That said, we must stress that the vast majority of sustainable farms are run by family farmers who are hardworking, honest and sincere people. They work all hours of the day and night to bring you the freshest, tastiest, best quality food available. Read on to find out how you can reconnect with your food and eat more sustainably.

If at any point you become confused, please remember that changing to sustainable eating is a process and will take a little time. Sustainable Table has been created to help make this transition as easy as possible and to guide you through any confusion.

Sustainable agriculture is more a way of life than a law or regulation. Each step you take benefits both you and your family, and helps preserve and protect the planet for future generations.

Source: Sustainabletable.org

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SEPA forum on sustainable agriculture and regeneration

SEPA forum on sustainable agriculture and regeneration

SEPA have held a forum about Sustainable Agriculture and Regeneration of Environment‏ on 7th June 2012, 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Kampung Nelayan, Puteri VIP Room, Bukit Padang.

The speaker Mr Hisanori Asami is the Regional Manager of Asia Pacific, EMRO (EM research Organization) based in Bangkok Thailand.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Horticulture from University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.

Mr. Hisanori Asami is a student of Dr. Teruo Higa. Dr. Teruo Higa discovered EM and developed EM technology for sustainable agriculture and environment conservation.

The public is invited to attend this forum for free and learn from Mr Hisanori Asami on his experience in promoting the EM technology in farming.

His effort to promote EM technology has been a success especially in Thailand where it has been given recognition by the Thai government.

The success of this technology is spreading among the neighboring countries around Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Philippine and Indonesia.

Mr Hisanori Asami’s visit to Sabah is a good opportunity for the local farmers and planters to learn and adapt this technology to keep our environment safe and sustainable.

SEPA would like to thank Silverrado Corporation Sdn Bhd for sponsoring the event location and refreshments during the forum. 

Source: http://wikisabah.blogspot.com/2012/06/sepa-forum-on-sustainable-agriculture.html  

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Sabah may become No.1 ginger State

Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is currently formulating strategies to make Sabah the biggest producer of ginger in the country.

Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Musbah Haji Jamli said this was following the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s recommendation, considering Sabah’s ginger is known to be the best of its kind in the country.

“This is part of the State Government’s effort to ensure Sabah is no longer viewed as incapable to compete with the other states.

The Chief Minister is also very concerned over agriculture development in the State and aspires to bring it to a level that we can be proud of,” he said at the launching of the Sabah zone-level Kor Tani by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex here Monday.

Musbah, who represented Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin at the event, said the State Government is also hoping that the Federal government can channel more allocations to Sabah.

Source: http://www.sabahtoday.com/?p=8904

Photo source: http://quintessentialruminations.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/its-a-ginger-thing/

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Modern agriculture training, skills centre to be set up - CM

Sabah CM Musa Aman

SANDAKAN: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said he has recently held discussion with an institution to set up a centre for modern agriculture training and skills to train youths in Sabah under the Young Agro Businessmen (YAB) project.

The setting up of the centre is to produce modern farmers and to provide opportunities to youths and school leavers in the State to become successful modern farmers, Musa said, at the official opening of the Sandakan Area Farmers Organization’s new office and its 9th Annual General Meeting in Bandar Labuk Jaya yesterday.

“The State Government is committed and working closely with the Federal Government in taking measures to boost the agriculture industry in the State to enable it to give maximum impact to drive the development of the State to a higher level,” he said.

Musa added that the State Agriculture Director had met him to request for a piece of land of two to three acres in Sandakan to build a training and marketing centre.

“In principle, I agreed to the request because our youths who are unemployed , can be trained to become agriculture entrepreneurs. Today, the agriculture sector is a lucrative venture and can generate high returns,” Musa, who is also State Finance Minister, said.

The State and Federal Barisan Nasional Governments have always implemented development projects and programmes for the benefit of the people, he added.

Since 1993, the Government has allocated RM29 million to set up 25 Farmers Organization offices throughout the State and thus I am urging them to fully utilize these premises to provide the best services to members in their respective areas, Musa said.

In the context of the State Government, the existence of two farmers organizations with a total membership of 56,000 people will not only serve as a complement to help the government develop the economic sector but also contribute towards progress and modernization of the agricultural sector, thus raising the standard of living of the people in the State, Musa said.

Meanwhile, Musa also presented the 2011 Successful Farmers Awards, Excellent Student Awards to children of Sandakan Area Farmers Organization members, assistance for the admission to a university first degree programme and “Jasamu Dikenang” recipients during the function.

Among those present were Farmers’ Organization Authority of Malaysia chairman, Dato Haji Zainal Dahalan, Sandakan Area Farmers Organization Board of Directors chairman, Haji Hamdan Hamid, Sandakan Municipal Council president, Datuk James Wong, Assistant Minister to Chief Minister, Datuk Edward Khoo, Libaran Member of Parliament, Datuk Juslie Ajirol and Gum Gum State Assemblyman, Datuk Zakaria Haji Edris.

Read More: http://www.sabahtoday.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3433:modern-agriculture-training-skills-centre-to-be-set-up-cm&catid=34:sabah&Itemid=18

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Sabah: Bearing fruit

Sabah: Bearing fruit

Asia | 29 Mar 2011

With Sabah’s leaders increasingly prioritising agricultural land and resources as a driver of economic growth, the state’s fruit and vegetable industry looks set for a growth surge in the months ahead.

On March 8, state news agency Bernama quoted the deputy chief minister of Sabah, Yahya Hussin, as saying he hoped to see the state producing more of its own agricultural produce as well as increasing exports to global markets. Yahya, who is also Sabah’s minister of agriculture and food industry, said during a visit to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) that Sabah’s large tracts of abandoned and undeveloped land have great potential to increase the state’s agricultural production.

“The products are there in neighbouring countries, such as the Pamelo fruit from Sabah that is exported to Brunei and Singapore, but they are not enough. According to the FAMA briefing, our local products are still not able to meet the demand from overseas,” Yahya said. He made similar comments in February, saying that to meet increasing international demand – chiefly from Europe and the Middle East – Sabah needs to double its production of fresh and value-added pineapple for export. He cited 2009 statistics indicating that Sabah has a cultivated pineapple-growing area of 1066 ha, and that it exports pineapple worth RM14,240 ($4695) per ha per year to Sarawak and Brunei.

An announcement in early March by Del Monte Philippines that it is planning a large organic pineapple plantation covering 15,000 ha of land in Sabah and Sarawak was therefore welcomed by state leaders and the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB). MPIB’s director-general, Sahdan Salim, told local news outlets that the deal was expected to be finalised this year, and that Sabah and Sarawak were chosen because they have suitable tracts of land for large-scale pineapple farming. The project, which will involve extensive contract farming, should create a number of job opportunities for locals.

Malaysia exported RM78m ($26m) worth of canned and fresh pineapples in 2010, and this figure is expected to reach RM100m ($33m) this year, Salim said. Global imports of tropical fruit such as pineapple, papaya, melon and star fruit increased by a compound annual growth rate of almost 10% between 2001 and 2007.

Malaysia’s location in the tropical belt and its annual average rainfall of 2000 mm make it an ideal location for farming premium tropical fruit. Western consumers have a growing taste for tropical fruit, with the EU’s annual consumption of papaya and pineapples increasing by 8% and 16% respectively over the past five years. While it follows that market opportunities for selling fresh tropical fruit are there for the picking, those in the industry complain about the Malaysian agriculture sector’s lack of a demand-driven approach.

One concern is that markets such as the EU demand pesticide-free, environmentally sustainable produce, and Sabah’s farmers have not yet embraced this type of farming. Issues of scale and shortcomings in terms of agricultural best practice and integration have also hampered the state’s ability to tap into high-value export markets for fresh fruit and vegetables.

The average fruit farm size in Sabah is 1 ha, with fruit farmers earning an average of RM1860 ($613) per month, with this including governmental support of around RM250 ($82) per tonne. With rural areas accounting for 35% of Malaysia’s population and agriculture supplying almost 44% of rural jobs, improving agriculture productivity is seen as a vital step to closing the rural-urban income gap, which in 2009 was 1:1.82.

Promoting growth in the agricultural sector is therefore high on the government’s list of long-term priorities. Incentives for farmers and investors are laid out in the government’s Economic Transformation Programme, which is made up of various National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). The Agriculture NKEA highlights three main goals: increasing gross national income (GNI) contribution by RM28.9bn ($9.5bn) to RM49.1bn ($16.2bn) in 2020, more than double the sector’s current size; creating 74,600 job opportunities, most of which will be in rural areas; and raising participating farmers’ incomes.

The Agriculture NKEA offers 16 entry point projects (EPPs), or business opportunities, meant to jump-start the sector. Produce comes under EPP 7, which calls for upgrading the capability to produce fruit and vegetables for high-value export markets and creating contract-farming clusters. To achieve greater economies of scale, existing farms will be modernised and act as contract farmers for larger anchor companies. Around 9000 ha of oil palm plantation land has been identified for intercropping of banana and pineapple during the oil palm replanting period.

If successful, the result would be high-quality fruit and vegetables that comply with food safety standards, allowing access to high-value markets in the Middle East and Europe. Increased export market penetration would enable Sabah’s farmers to charge higher prices for their produce, raising incomes to an estimated RM4500 ($1484) per ha. In all, the EPP is expected to contribute RM1.6bn ($528m) to Malaysia’s GNI and create 9100 jobs by 2020.

Globalisation has opened up the world to international cuisine, resulting in increased demand in developed markets for a growing range of foods. As people around the world develop cravings for fare such as pineapple curry and papaya salsa, Sabah looks well placed to help meet this demand – and profit from it.

Sources: http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/economic_updates/sabah-bearing-fruit

Green Sabah says: The Sabah government has always been supportive to boost the agriculture sector in Sabah as  they are concern about providing food security to the state and people. The government will be utilizing the use of biotechnology in order to improve agriculture in Sabah. 

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