RM463.01 mil for Ministry of Agriculture

KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM463.01 million has been proposed for expenditure for seven departments and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture & Food Industry next year.

Its minister, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Yahya Hussin, said the allocation will be distributed to Department of Agriculture (RM42.45 million), Department of Veterinary Services & Animal Industry (RM20.46 million), Drainage & Irrigation Department (RM56.54 million), Department of Fisheries (RM12.65 million), Sabah Rubber Industry Board (RM9.75 million), Rural Development Corporation (RM7.55 million) and Ko-Nelayan receiving RM6.7 million.

“My ministry will use the provision in the best possible way for the benefit of the farming, breeding and fishing community,” he said in his winding up speech for his ministry at State Assembly.
Yahya said his ministry would continue to be committed to develop the land in the State with various agricultural development programmes.

“The Permanent Food Crops Programme (TKPM), which has been in operation since June 2010 in Tawau involving 51 operators using a land area of 96 hectares, to date has generated an income of RM877,152 by producing 619,756 tons of vegetables and fruits,” he said.

Other than this, he said, his ministry will also be giving priority to the production of rice in the state with the establishment of the Kota Belud rice bowl.

“At the beginning of this year, the Federal government has already channelled an allocation of RM14.3 million to develop the first phase of 800 hectares in Kampung Taun Gusi, Kampung Tempasuk and Kampung Jawi-Jawi Kota Belud involving 762 farmers,” he said.

He said, to develop the rural economy, the ministry through the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) has developed a land area of 6,392 hectares involving 1,979 smallholders and encompassing 64 villages and 19 districts this year.

“LIGS has received funding amounting to RM40.59 million that will be used in 2013 on developing a land area of 4,400 hectares, involving 1,500 smallholders. The board is now on the right path as it has recorded a profit of RM69 million, that is, RM44 million in 2011 and RM23 million in 2012 up until June this year,” he said.

Yahya said throughout the whole of last year, his ministry has achieved many accolades, among them, the Department of Agriculture, Ko-Nelayan and the Department of Fisheries which received three stars rating, while the Rural Development Corporation (KPD) received four-star rating.

“Other than this, Sabah successfully became the largest producer of fresh milk in Malaysia and therefore the leading supplier of fresh milk under the 1Malaysia milk programme,” he said.

He said, besides these achievements, his ministry had always give priority to the welfare of the people by engaging in the MESEJ programs (Mini Estate Sejahtera).

“Among the departments and agencies of the ministries involved in implementing the poverty alleviation programmes or Program 1Azam are the Rural Development Corporation (KPD), Department of Agriculture and Ko-Nelayan. This programme has benefited 19,500 poor people listed in the e-Kasih system involving an expenditure of RM191 million. In 2013, the government has approved RM100 million for the 1Azam programme,” he said.

On the problems of flash floods that often besets residents in Petagas, Telipok and Menggatal, Yahya said the Drainage & Irrigation Department has spent RM34.8 million to build mitigation structures in Sungai Telipok, RM58.7 million in Sungai Darau and Sungai Dambai and RM5.7 million in Sungai Petagas.

“At the same time, to reduce the impact of flooding in Beaufort town, the government provided an allocation of RM10.2 million of which RM6.0 million has been spent. All works is expected to be completed in 2014,” he said.

In response to the questions from the assemblymen during the question and answer session, Yahya said Kunak has an area of 113,441 hectares and out of the area, 25,352 hectares have been found suitable for growing tapioca.

“In 2010 the existing acreage planted with tapioca in this area is 15 hectares. For the year 2012, the Department of Agriculture had the intention to increase the size of tapioca growing acreage, however, due to financial constraints the department was only able to develop the area according to the approved provision.

“Responding to the question posed by the assemblyman from Matunggong regarding the administration of the agriculture office there, I’m pretty sure the Agriculture Department will take appropriate action to resolve the problem,” he said.



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