The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, today signed three memoranda of understanding (MoU) witnessed by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Honorable Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, Sabah Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFS).
The first MoU is between the Malaysian Government represented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Sabah State Government represented by the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFS) and the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM).
The first MoU was signed by three parties, namely Ybhg. Dato ‘Haslina Abdul Hamid represented the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry Malaysia (MAFI), YBhg. Datuk Dr. Mariana Tinggal represented the Sabah Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFS) and En Khairuzamri M Salleh represented the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM).
Cooperation to develop the pineapple industry in Sabah will be continued through strategic cooperation between MAFI, MAF Sabah and LPNM is in line with our common desire to improve the agricultural sector and to assist farmers and entrepreneurs in Sabah.
With the understanding that will be signed today, it is hoped that the pineapple industry in Sabah will continue to grow and farmers and the people of Sabah will benefit not only from the technology of pineapple cultivation but also in terms of increased income and employment opportunities in each component of the chain. pineapple industry value.
For the purpose of developing the pineapple industry in Sabah, a joint venture project between MAFI, LPNM and MAF Sabah will be named as the Sabah Pineapple Industry Development Pilot Project to promote the development and production of pineapple in Sabah through the latest technology and methods. A total of RM1 million is allocated in 2022 by MAFI through LPNM for the project.
The next MoU is between Agrobank and the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) to establish strategic cooperation in investment activities and increase synergies between the two organizations under MAFI and MAFS in developing the Sabah Agroindustrial Precinct (SAIP). Through this MOU, Agrobank is represented by its President/Chief Executive Officer, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, while SEDCO is represented by the Group General Manager, Tuan Haizar R.H.Ajaz Nabijan.
Sabah Agroindustrial Precinct (SAIP) is a technology precinct that serves as a platform for the development of agro-based industries that focus on the development of agro-food and specialty crops/natural products driven by technological processing innovation and R&D in an area of 215 acres located in Kimanis Papar.
The third MoU, which was also witnessed by both the Honorable Ministers of MAFI and MAFS, was aimed at strengthening, encouraging and cooperating in the field of tomato-based product entrepreneur development through technical advisory consultancy on plant development and processing technology. The MOU was signed between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), represented by its Director-General, Dato ‘Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani, while Syarikat Karkun Sdn Bhd was represented by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Rizal Ajmin.
Areas of general cooperation between MARDI and Karkun Sdn Bhd under this MOU include technical advisory services related to the development of tomato processing plants and the development of entrepreneurs through the use of MARDI technology. This strategic collaboration will improve the economy of the local community with the development of a tomato-based product processing plant as well as create various employment opportunities for the surrounding residents.
Earlier, MARDI through the Horticultural Research Center signed an MOU with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) through the Faculty of Computer and Informatics. The purpose of the MOU is to enhance research and innovation between the two as well as strengthen aspects of fundamental science and applications in R & D activities to produce quality technology and industry-oriented to increase more involvement in research development in learning through technology transfer to UMS.
The Ministry will continue to focus on improving food security through various strategic partnerships with the State Government and agencies under it to ensure food security as well as assist farmers and agro-food entrepreneurs to obtain fresh high-tech agricultural products to increase crop production and food processing productivity through the latest technology.
