KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is intent on regaining full authority over deep-sea fishing activities in the state’s waters from the federal government, which now holds jurisdiction over policies and approvals.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who also heads the state Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, said he will raise this matter to the special committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which comprises representatives from Putrajaya, Sabah and Sarawak, including himself.
One of the key issues to discuss is the state’s marine boundary, which is important to confirm for Sabah to retake control of deep-sea fishing activities there.
He said efforts will be made to improve both marine fisheries and aquaculture activities to build the state’s food security and growth. He said the fisheries sector needs to be competitive and also include active development in related downstream activities.
Jeffrey was speaking during his winding-up speech as agriculture and fisheries minister at the Sabah state assembly here yesterday.
He stressed that the state will also look into the commercialisation of seaweed, high-value oceanic fish, crabs, shellfish, sea cucumbers and at least eight species of freshwater fish.
"Integrated fisheries complexes will be established in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan to support fishing activities in the state," he said.
Kitingan also revealed that of all the sectors under his ministry, only the fishing sector has reached 100% self-sufficiency for the state.
He said that self-sufficiency will, therefore, be the ministry’s primary focus over the next 10 years.
Plans are also afoot to improve yield on padi and other food crops. In line with this, the state wants to revive the Sabah Padi Board.
"We are now revising the enactment on the revival of the Sabah Padi Board while my ministry focuses on increasing padi production from 25% to 60% (self-sufficiency) by 2030," he said.
Under the five-year Sabah Maju Jaya plan, food crop production will be geared towards short-term planting involving 1,480 farmers and lands totalling 2,537ha.
Jeffrey said the state Agriculture Department will focus on security and quality of produce via best agricultural practices. It will also work to obtain the myGAP and myOrganic certifications.
The department will also focus on strengthening biosecurity and quarantine at 18 entry points to ensure local agriculture products are of the best quality.
On human capital development, Jeffrey said three training centres in the state will develop an online app called the Agriculture Production Hub to connect producers with local markets, stores and exporters.
He said agricultural exports contributed RM2.6 billion to Sabah's gross domestic product (GDP).
On the rubber industry, Kitingan said the Sabah Rubber Industries Board plans to create Beaufort Latex Sdn Bhd to process latex used in the processing of beds, pillows, condoms and gloves.
"A glove factory will be built in Sabah's Kota Kinabalu industrial estate," he said.
Overall, the Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry will receive RM427.08 million under the state’s budget for 2021, with RM324.59 million allocated for supplies and RM102.49 million for development. – The Vibes, December 24, 2020
