Malaysia’s Koperasi Tanjung Keramat Berhad (KTKB), in collaboration with Emat Sdn Bhd, has launched a commercial corn cultivation project in Kota Marudu, Sabah using advanced agricultural technology from South Africa.
The 150-acre site is currently in its early implementation stage, with systems being set up to optimize productivity.
Isham Ishak, Secretary General of the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, said the smart farming approach has the potential to boost grain corn yields from the current 6-7 tons per hectare to as much as 16 tons.
He noted that higher domestic production could reduce Malaysia’s dependence on imported corn for animal feed, helping to lower costs for poultry and livestock producers.
Once standard operating procedures are established and proven, the model could be expanded nationwide.
Hendrus Anding, State Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, added that the project could create jobs, spur entrepreneurship, and enhance community development, positioning Kota Marudu as a future poultry production hub for Sabah.
Sabah is a significant corn-producing state in Malaysia, contributing 6% to the country’s total corn production. While not the largest producer, Sabah plays a role in Malaysia’s corn supply, alongside other states like Selangor, Johor, and Sarawak.
Reducing reliance on imports
The KTKB’s project is in line with Malaysia’s government call for a comprehensive strategy to develop the local grain corn industry in a bid to reduce reliance on imports for the livestock sector.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was among a number of decisions made during the Cabinet Committee Meeting on the National Food Security Policy, which reviewed strategies to raise Malaysia’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR) in meat production.
“Increasing the SSR is crucial to ensuring that the nation’s livestock sector remains sustainable, resilient and competitive in the long term, thereby safeguarding national food security for future generations,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim said that developing the local grain corn industry could also help spur the agri-food sector, boost rural economic opportunities, and improve the overall resilience of Malaysia’s food systems.
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