KOTA KINABALU - Sabah is set to further strengthen its food security efforts next year through a range of large-scale initiatives covering paddy cultivation, agricultural biotechnology and agro-marketing.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the Sabah Rice and Paddy Board (LPBS), which was re-established in 2024, is being reinforced to support the state’s goal of becoming a sustainable and competitive producer of paddy and rice. The state is targeting a 60 per cent Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) by 2030.
He said RM3 million has been allocated for LPBS operational costs, while RM15 million has been set aside for the purchase of paddy ploughing and harvesting machinery. Masidi was speaking while tabling the Sabah Budget 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly sitting on Friday.
According to him, the Sabah Paddy Planting Revolution Programme will be implemented in Papar, Keningau, Tambunan, Kota Belud, Tuaran and Kota Marudu. The programme focuses on rehabilitating abandoned paddy fields, providing modern machinery, upgrading drainage and irrigation systems, and improving downstream management.
These measures, he said, are intended to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the paddy sector, increase rice SSL, reduce reliance on imports, and improve farmers’ income and overall well-being.
Sabah will also strengthen its agricultural research capabilities with the establishment of the Sabah Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABTeC) at the Agriculture Research Centre (ARC) in Tuaran under the Sabah Agriculture Department.
Masidi said SABTeC will function as a specialised research centre equipped with molecular biology and bioinformatics laboratories, tissue culture facilities and a transgenic plant greenhouse. The centre will support high-impact research, including the development of high-yield and disease-resistant crop varieties, as well as the use of DNA marker technology to identify plant varieties, pests and diseases.
To enhance farmers’ economic prospects and expand market access, Masidi said the Rural Development Corporation (KPD) will improve agricultural produce marketing through 10 Agricultural Collection Centres located in several districts, including Beaufort, Keningau, Kota Marudu, Nabawan, Tenom, Tambunan and Penampang. An allocation of RM1 million has been provided to ensure the centres operate more effectively.
These initiatives are part of a broader RM559.85 million allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry and its agencies in 2026, aimed at strengthening Sabah’s food security and Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR). Of this total, RM75.75 million is allocated for operational support and direct assistance to farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders.
The Agriculture Department, as the lead agency for the Crop Sub-Sector, will receive RM171.36 million in 2026, including RM62.40 million for development purposes. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the department has been approved for 108 projects—one ongoing and 107 new—with a total funding ceiling of RM323.91 million. These projects cover research, human capital development, crop expansion, services and agro-tourism.
Among the major crop development initiatives planned for next year is the establishment of Permanent Food Production Zones across 15 sites covering 595 hectares. These zones are expected to produce 1,494.5 metric tonnes of vegetables and fruits valued at RM4.32 million.
Meanwhile, the Rural Development Corporation will carry out 21 development projects under the 13MP, with allocations of RM14.13 million for operations and RM6.94 million for 15 new development initiatives.
Masidi also said the Contract Farming Programme, particularly broiler chicken projects involving youth participation, will continue as a key strategy to increase production levels and raise participants’ income.