SHAH ALAM, Jan 26 — Sabah is looking at Selangor for inspiration to help modernise its agricultural practices.
In a statement, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said the two states are set to enter into a partnership that will see the Borneo state utilise Selangor’s expertise and experience in the agricultural sector.
Jeffrey, who is also Sabah’s agriculture, fisheries and food industry minister, said both states are also looking at strengthening agricultural cooperation, emphasising the potential for mutual learning.
“This collaboration with Selangor marks an important step for Sabah in our journey to modernise our farming techniques and improve our food security,” he said today.
The collaboration was discussed in a meeting on Tuesday when Selangor state executive councillor for agriculture Izham Hashim paid Jeffrey a courtesy visit in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
It took place in conjunction with the Selangor government’s four-day retreat in the Land Below the Wind beginning last Sunday.
Recognising Sabah as a major seaweed producer, both leaders also agreed on the value of sharing experiences and learning from each other’s achievements.
“A visit to Selangor’s agricultural sites is proposed for later this year to foster further collaboration,” Jeffrey said.
He added that the hour-long meeting also delved into significant challenges in the fisheries sector, addressing issues such as illegal exports of marine products like shrimps in Sabah and clams in Selangor, as well as coral theft.
Sustainable marine resource management was identified as a crucial measure to address these issues.
“The meeting was highly productive, and we are optimistic about this partnership bringing tangible benefits to both Sabah and Selangor.”
Meanwhile, Jeffrey said Sabah is in the process of allocating 2,000 to 5,000 hectares of land through government-linked companies for agricultural development.
