Budget 2025's Significant Agricultural Funding Set To Propel Sabah’s Rice Industry - Academician

By Jailani Hasan

LABUAN, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Sabah’s rice industry is expected to greatly benefit from various agricultural initiatives announced in Budget 2025, said University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Assoc Prof Dr Bonaventure Boniface.

Sabah received a development allocation of RM6.7 billion, one of the highest among the states, with notable attention given to the development of basic infrastructure and the agriculture sector, he said.

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Boniface emphasised that these funds would help build essential roads and irrigation systems to reduce logistics costs and improve farmers’ output.

“A major focus of the budget is flood management, with the introduction of a flood mitigation plan. This plan aims to control flooding in paddy fields, ensure a stable water supply during droughts, and prevent crop damage during rainy seasons,” he told Bernama today.

The assoc prof, who is also a board member of the Sabah Padi and Rice Board, noted that while no specific subsidies for rice were mentioned in Budget 2025, ongoing support for fertilisers, seeds, and financial aid for farmers is anticipated. 

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“These are crucial for helping small-scale farmers in Sabah cope with rising costs and remain competitive. The government is also promoting the use of drones and other modern technologies in agriculture to enhance efficiency and address the issue of labour shortages. 

“This is expected to reduce the reliance on human labour, a pressing challenge in Sabah's farming sector,” he said.

Boniface put forward several proposals to further strengthen the rice industry, with a key recommendation being the development of more resilient rice varieties capable of withstanding extreme weather and diseases.

He also stressed the importance of increased funding for research and development in rice cultivation, with UMS positioned to lead these efforts.

The expansion of irrigation infrastructure is another critical area, Boniface said, adding that the construction of dedicated irrigation systems for paddy fields would improve water management, reduce dependence on rainfall, and boost productivity.

“Training programmes for farmers in modern technologies such as drones and automated equipment are also emphasised,” he said.

Boniface suggested that these programmes could be subsidised by the government to help farmers optimise yields with new farming techniques.

“Additionally, there is a call for improvement in Sabah’s rice market and supply chain systems. Establishing more collection and processing centres would provide farmers with better market access, reducing reliance on middlemen who often take a significant portion of profits,” he said.

Boniface noted that the budget also opens up the potential for Sabah to enter the global organic market.

“The government could provide incentives for farmers to transition to organic farming, offering technical support and subsidies.

“With the growing demand for organic products, this could be a lucrative opportunity for rice farmers,” he said.

Boniface added that these initiatives and proposals are expected to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of Sabah’s rice industry in the coming years.

-- BERNAMA