KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will encourage the use of modern technology in agriculture to increase yields and improve the quality of products.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said smart farming, automation and mechanisation would increase productivity and ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Hajiji said Universiti Malaysia Sabah had conducted various activities to help industries and communities in Sabah through the commercialisation of their innovations and the transfer of knowledge to society.
"This includes leading research, such as on hybrid grouper, monkey malaria, and many more.
"The selection of UMS's Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) as a Higher Education Centre of Excellence (HiCOE) by the Higher Education MInistry is a source of pride for the people of Sabah and evidence of UMS's outstanding research and innovation.
"Thus, in line with the National Food Security Policy, Sabah aims to increase food self-sufficiency by encouraging innovation in crop, livestock, and fishery production," he said after officiating the Supercharger Sabah 2024 event at the Islamic Centre UMS here.
Ther Supercharger Series 2024 is a strategic initiative to drive collaboration, engagement and knowledge sharing.
Hajiji said the Supercharger programme allowed university spin-off companies, researchers, private sector entities and agencies to collaborate, learn and address challenges together.
Hajiji said with the Supercharger programme positioned the state as a leading innovation hub.