Kitchen Garden concept to be launched next year

KOTA BELUD (Dec 14): The ‘Kebun Dapur’ concept introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI) is expected to be launched early next year as a key approach to expanding rural community participation in small-scale agricultural activities.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the initiative aims to create broad opportunities for villagers to cultivate crops within their own home compounds at low cost, while providing direct benefits to their daily livelihoods.

According to him, the Kitchen Garden concept is designed as a practical platform to reach as many people as possible, particularly farmers, smallholders, fishermen and rural entrepreneurs, most of whom are involved in the agricultural sector.

He said discussions are currently being held with the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to fine-tune the implementation of the concept to ensure it is carried out in an organised and effective manner.

“God willing, with careful planning, the ‘Kebun Dapur’  concept can be launched early next year,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the PMD Programme and Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival at the Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Jamli Open Hall here on Sunday.

Jamawi said that since his first day reporting for duty as minister, his main aspiration has been to assist rural communities and to uplift the dignity and well-being of villagers who depend on agriculture as a source of income.

He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend the event and meet rural entrepreneurs in person, whom he described as having strong spirit and determination to succeed in entrepreneurship.

Jamawi congratulated two state agricultural agencies, the Sabah Rubber Industry Board and the Sabah Land Development Board for their initiatives and active involvement in developing rural entrepreneurs.

He said participants in the programme not only received equipment assistance worth up to RM6,000, but were also given continuous support, including more structured and effective product marketing guidance, particularly through digital approaches.

Jamawi added that his background as a farmer and smallholder enables him to deeply understand the hardships, challenges and needs of rural communities, whether as farmers, hawkers, fishermen, retailers or livestock breeders.

He said this experience would be fully utilised in efforts to develop rural communities, especially in the agricultural sector, to enhance the well-being and standard of living of the people.

At the same time, Jamawi expressed hope that continued cooperation between relevant agencies and professionals would be further strengthened to drive development and improve the welfare of rural communities.

He also recorded his appreciation to all parties involved, including the ministry, implementing agencies and the organising committee, for the successful organisation of the PMD Programme and the Mini Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival.

Also present were Tempasuk Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong; Senior Assistant Secretary (Economic Development Division) of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) Farah Ahmad; former Tempasuk assemblyman Datuk Musbah Jamli; Sabah Rubber Industry Board General Manager Sabdil Tanjong; representative of the Sabah Land Development Board General Manager Fauzie Haji Jamlee; and Managing Director of E-lokal Sdn Bhd and Administrator of the Desamall Digital Marketing Programme (PMD) Ahmad Shah Wahid.