TUARAN, Sabah — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said that the Kitchen Garden Initiative introduced by his ministry is one of the strategic steps to strengthen the state’s food security and empower household economies, particularly in rural areas.
He said the program is capable of raising public awareness about the importance of producing their own food, including growing vegetables and herbs, small-scale livestock farming, and household-level freshwater aquaculture.
According to him, the practice of kitchen gardening has long been implemented and is now being continued in a more structured manner as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food security and empower communities through practical, small-scale agricultural approaches that are easy to implement and deliver immediate impact.
“In the current challenging economic climate and rising cost of living, the ability of households to produce some of their own food needs is a wise and strategic move,” he said at the launch of the MAFFI Kitchen Garden Roadshow at Padang Istiadat here recently.
Jamawi said that part of the kitchen garden produce can also be marketed to generate additional income. To date, 16 Agricultural Product Collection Centres (APCC) have been established, with nine more to be completed to cover all parliamentary constituencies in the state.
He said the kitchen garden approach allows families to grow vegetables and short-term crops in a planned manner while also carrying out small-scale fish farming.
“At the same time, this can reduce daily expenses and has the potential to generate additional income for families,” he said.
He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who attended to show support and encouragement to the program participants.
In addition, he acknowledged the commitment of all parties involved, including ministry-level committees, the Tuaran District Office, departments and agencies under the ministry, state and federal government departments and agencies, the private sector, local communities, and individuals who made the initiative a success.
Meanwhile, Jamawi said the second initiative under the Kitchen Garden program is the Mentor-Mentee Program, involving 18 youths aged 40 and below who were selected as mentors.
He congratulated all appointed mentors and agricultural entrepreneurs participating in the program.
“These mentors will help guide and develop young people interested in venturing into kitchen gardening and agriculture,” he said.
According to him, the effort clearly demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to empowering household economies through small-scale agricultural activities that are easy to implement, yield quick results, and have the potential to become a source of additional income.
Jamawi also informed that several financial agencies are offering loan facilities to youths and agricultural entrepreneurs, including Perbadanan Pinjaman Sabah, which offers loans of up to RM50,000 with zero or low interest rates, as well as facilities from Yayasan Usaha Maju and Agrobank, which impose interest rates as low as three percent.
In addition, the third approach is to bring entrepreneurs and food industries such as amplang cracker and sambal producers towards business digitalisation.
He said many entrepreneurs and celebrities in Peninsular Malaysia have successfully marketed products digitally through platforms such as TikTok, and the same method can be utilised by local entrepreneurs.
“I see myself as a farmer, livestock breeder and gardener. I also want my officers to have the same spirit and be more sensitive to the needs of local residents,” he said.
