KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin said the fisheries sector in Sabah successfully generated private investments worth RM3.21 billion in the last year.
Yahya, who is also Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said the investment is expected to produce a return of RM6.53 billion and is capable of providing 31,231 job opportunities.
He said the subsidiary of American company Darden, Lobster Aqua Technologies Sdn Bhd (LATSB) will invest RM2 billion for the development of its lobster farming project in Semporna.
“It’s been understood that as many as 40 companies have applied to develop various marine-based industries in Sabah.
“Out of that total, 25 have been approved or at least supported for approval through the Agriculture National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) for aquaculture,” he said in his speech at the ministry’s assembly of officers and personnel from departments and agencies under its purview at Dewan Serbaguna Wisma Pertanian here, yesterday.
Yahya said in the farming sub-sector, most of the programmes are focused on produce for local use to overcome the food shortage and to lessen overseas food import especially rice.
“Although we are capable of producing quality fruits and vegetables, unfortunately it only fulfils the local demand and there is no excess to export; there are some exports to neighbouring states such as Brunei and Sarawak but in very small amounts,” he said.
He hopes that with the implementation of the commercial paddy cultivation project in Kota Belud will overcome the rice shortage problem in the state.
“The first planting will begin March 2013 with an area of 800 hectares and 762 participants, at a infrastructure development cost of RM14.6 million,” he said, adding that by 2020, it is estimated that 5,000 hectares will be planted with rice twice a year, producing 8.5 metric tonnes per hectare.
“To complete the infrastructure, a total of RM340 million has been applied for from 2013 to 2020. About 4,000 participants will receive incentives at a rate of RM2,000 per hectare for the planting season for five season straight.
“This approach is seen as a two-pronged approach as both participants and entrepreneurs can both benefit,” he noted.
Yahya said the Agriculture Ministry spent RM18 million in 2012 to assist 26,046 paddy farmers to develop 29,848 hectares of paddy fields through ploughing programmes.
Other than that, 288 farmers were given aid to encourage them to plant various food produce such as fruit and vegetables. As of last year, 416 hectares of fruit and vegetables have been developed.
“As many as 331 farmers and youths were also given guidance training to become entrepreneurs and skilled agriculture workers by the ministry. Twenty-six of those have successfully become entrepreneurs earning around RM5,000 a month,” he said.
In regards to the rubber industry, he noted that the state government through the Sabah Rubber Industry Board (LIGS) earned RM34 million in profits after the sale of 44,185 metric tonnes of rubber with a market value of RM422.15 million in 2012.
“This increase in profit from 2011’s RM44 million means that LIGScan no longer be labeled as a ‘sick’ agency,” he said, adding that he hoped that the encouraging performance will continue.
Yahya said in 2012, LIGS provided aid to 1,979 farmers in 17 districts in Sabah and at the same time, trained 755 small-time rubber planters and provided equipment.
He added that 1,257 hectares of rubber trees planted in 3,800 hectares of abandoned land at the cost of RM57 million have already been harvested through the involvement of 405 participants in 11 villages.
“These participants who were previously identified as hardcore poor now earn an income average of RM700-RM1,000 per month.
“For the participants harvesting mature rubber trees, their income averages RM2,000-RM3,000 per month from a harvest area of 10 acres,” Yahya noted.
He said the RM30 million incentive offered by the government has been distributed since August 2012 to 19,513 farmers.
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