The Sabah delegation of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) poses for a group photograph at the vegetable garden of the Greater Bay Area Urban Agricultural Park in Guangzhou, China.
(GUANGZHOU) – Following its visit to the Nansha Fisheries Industrial Park in Guangzhou, the Sabah delegation of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) continued its programme with a visit to the Greater Bay Area Urban Agricultural Park to gain insights into China’s advancements in modern agriculture, agricultural technology, biotechnology and agricultural industrialisation, while exploring opportunities for Malaysia-China cooperation and investment in the agricultural sector.
MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau said the visit had broadened his perspective on agricultural development and provided valuable insights into China’s approach to the industry.
Despite his extensive experience in business and corporate development, he said China’s approach to agricultural planning and resource integration had offered fresh perspectives on the sector’s potential.
He noted that China placed strong emphasis on industrial segmentation and resource integration, incorporating the food economy, marine economy and various agricultural resources into an integrated development framework to establish a more systematic and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
“I appreciate China’s approach to industrial development, particularly how it segments and integrates the food economy, marine economy and various resources to identify different areas of profitability.”
Datuk Dexter said agricultural development should not focus solely on production, but must also take into account market demand, appropriate market positioning and effective marketing strategies.
He added that businesses could unlock greater value and enhance profitability by reassessing existing agricultural products and exploring innovative ways to expand their applications and market potential.
He said this was among the key lessons gained from the visit.
Sabah, he added, was blessed with abundant agricultural, fisheries and food resources. By drawing on China’s experience in industrial planning, technological applications and market development, the state could further modernise its agricultural sector while creating new business and investment opportunities.
Jamawi: Sabah to Promote Kitchen Garden Initiative
Adopts China’s Community Farming Model to Encourage Public Participation
Meanwhile, Sabah Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the visit had also provided the delegation with valuable insights into how China leverages biotechnology and research innovation to enhance the value and market competitiveness of agricultural products.
He said one of the initiatives that particularly impressed him was the community garden concept implemented at the park, which provides designated farming plots for residents without access to their own land, including those living in condominiums and apartments.
The initiative allows residents to grow their own vegetables after work or during weekends, encouraging greater community participation in food production.
He noted that the concept was closely aligned with Sabah’s ongoing efforts to promote the Kitchen Garden (Kebun Dapur) initiative.
Jamawi revealed that discussions had already been held with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) to explore the possibility of utilising idle land owned by the local authority and converting it into community farming plots.
The proposed initiative would provide opportunities for residents, particularly those living in high-rise residential properties without access to private land, to participate in urban farming.
He said the initiative would be explored jointly by the relevant Malaysian agricultural and food industry agencies (MAPI) and DBKK.
Efforts were also underway to introduce the Kitchen Garden concept within the premises of relevant departments and agencies under the ministry, with the aim of encouraging wider community participation in local food production.
Datuk Jamawi also expressed his admiration for the park’s biotechnology applications and research achievements, noting that technological innovation and value-added processes could generate greater economic returns in agriculture and livestock farming.
Citing examples showcased at the park, he said high-value crab products and advanced poultry farming technologies demonstrated how scientific research and technological applications could enhance product value while improving the incomes of farmers and livestock breeders.
He said Sabah had a pool of young entrepreneurs with the financial resources and investment capabilities to participate in these sectors.
By combining government initiatives with private-sector investment, technology and business networks, Sabah could accelerate the development of its agriculture, fisheries and food industries.
He also expressed his appreciation to MCCC Sabah for organising the visit, which provided business representatives from various sectors with an opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to China’s modern agricultural development and explore further avenues for Malaysia-China cooperation in agriculture and the food industry.
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MCCC10: The Sabah delegation of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) poses for a group photograph at the vegetable garden of the Greater Bay Area Urban Agricultural Park in Guangzhou, China.
MCCC7: The Sabah delegation of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) presents a souvenir to a representative of the Greater Bay Area Urban Agricultural Park.
