Modern Farming pays off for Kadazandusun farmers.
Posted on 06. Dec, 2004 by Allan Dumbong in KDCA Keningau, Press.
KUNDASANG (NST – Nov 30th 2004) – It all began with the RM150 Suridi Juman earned while working for his brother in a vegetable farm near here in 1983. The money was used to set up his own three-hectare cabbage farm. His business grew from that modest start.Today, the 41-year-old Kadazandusun farmer has 20 hectares of agricultural land and stalls in Kundasang. He supplies vegetables to Kota Kinabalu as well as the east coast districts of Lahad Datu and Tawau. His average monthly income is RM7,000.
A father of three, Suridi was recognised recently as the Young Farmer of the Year at the annual Cabbage Festival, for which he received a certificate and trophy from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.Another person recognised at the festival was Jamit Salim, 46, who was named Farmer of the Year.
As the eldest in the family of nine, he sacrificed a lot working his family land to help educate his siblings – seven of whom are now university graduates. Jamit began planting vegetables in 1980 and two years later started working his family land commercially. By 1990, he was toiling on a 11-hectare plot alongside 12 workers. Recently he diversified into other farming activities using modern methods.
He planted padi on a four-hectare plot and set up a 40-hectare integrated farm in Kampung Nabutan involving livestock, freshwater fish and prawns.
Another winner at the festival, which is jointly organised by the Agricultural and Food Industry Ministry, Ranau District Office and the Sabah Tourism Board, was a woman. Jeneh Sapin, 46, was named Woman Farmer of the Year. A widow, she raised five children on her own by planting vegetables and selling cakes. Now, one child has graduated from a local university while four others are still in school.
Musa, in commending the achievements of all farmers with similar success stories, said modern farming was the key to increasing their earnings.
