Sabah MAFFI Appointed Coordinator For Federal Agro-Food Programme To Boost Food Security - Chan

KOTA KINABALU, April 11  (Bernama) --  The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has agreed to appoint the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) as the coordinating body for the National Agriculture and Food Empowerment Programme (PPAN) funded by the federal government for projects in Sabah.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the approach is crucial to ensure better coordination in project implementation, avoid duplication, and accelerate the delivery of benefits to target groups.

“I believe close cooperation such as this is vital to ensure that the national food security agenda can be effectively translated at the state level, taking into account local needs and Sabah’s vast potential in the agriculture and agro-food sector,” he said in a statement today.

Chan added that he led a delegation from KPKM, along with relevant departments and agencies, on a courtesy visit to Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, yesterday.

He said during the two-hour meeting, they discussed key issues related to the development of Sabah’s agricultural sector, particularly in strengthening food security and safeguarding the livelihoods of the farming community.

Among the main initiatives discussed and agreed upon were the proposed construction of a fishing jetty in Sepanggar, the cultivation of grain corn for livestock feed in Trusan Sapi, the development of a rice mill in Kota Belud, the expansion of pig farming in Tongod, the upgrading of agricultural roads, and the strengthening of biosecurity regulations and soil management systems.

“I would like to express my appreciation for the constructive discussions throughout this visit. It is hoped that strategic cooperation between the federal ministry and the Sabah state government will continue to be strengthened for the benefit of farmers, breeders, fishermen, and all Sabahans,” he said.

--BERNAMA