KOTA BELUD: The Kitchen Garden concept introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry (MAFFI) Sabah is set to be launched early next year as a key approach to increase rural community involvement in small-scale agricultural activities.
State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said that this initiative aims to provide ample opportunities for villagers to grow their own crops at home with minimal costs, thereby directly benefiting their daily lives.
He said that the Kitchen Garden concept is designed as a practical platform to reach as many people as possible, especially farmers, smallholders, fishermen, and rural entrepreneurs who are mostly engaged in the agricultural sector.
Jamawi added that discussions with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary are ongoing to refine the implementation of this concept to ensure it is carried out in an orderly and effective manner.
“God willing, with careful planning, the Kitchen Garden concept can be launched early next year,” he said while officiating the closing ceremony of the PMD Program and Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival at the Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli Open Hall today.
Jamawi expressed that since his first day as a minister, his main goal has been to assist rural communities and elevate the dignity and welfare of village residents who rely on agriculture as their source of income.
He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend the event and meet directly with rural entrepreneurs, whom he described as having a strong spirit and high desire to succeed in entrepreneurship.
Jamawi congratulated and praised two state agricultural agencies, namely the Sabah Rubber Industry Board and the Sabah Land Development Board, for their active involvement in development initiatives.
