SOURCE: Olivia Miwil, New Strait Times
The government has allocated RM1 million to improve Sabah’s pineapple industry this year.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI), Datuk Sei Dr Ronald Kiandee, said the allocation through the Sabah Pineapple Industry Development Pilot Project would provide great benefits to its cultivation in the state.
“The project, which uses the latest methods and technology, will also encourage the development and production of pineapples as well as the potential to further expand its exports.
“It will also help increase incomes and provide employment opportunities in every component of the value chain of the pineapple industry,” he said in a statement after the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MAFI and the Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry yesterday.
The ceremony also saw the signing of an MoU between Agrobank and the Sabah Economic Development Group (Sedco).
The third MoU is between the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) and Karkun Sdn.Bhd.
Among those present was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
Meanwhile, at a separate event, Ronald also witnessed another MoU signing between Mardi and Universiti Malaysia Sabah here.
The MoU aims to enhance research and development (R&D) projects through smart agriculture and the application of image monitoring systems for crop growth performance in plant mills.
During the visit, he was also told that Sabah Mardi has successfully produced 12,000 local trainees.
“It is hoped that Mardi’s continuous efforts will produce local entrepreneurs who contribute to increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“It is in line with the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 which aims to ensure adequate and safe food supply and make the Agro-food sector viable.”