It targets the participation of 100,000 rural individuals with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and operational excellence.
KOTA KINABALU : – The Sabah government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry (MAFFI), has launched the Rural Agricultural Economic Revolution (RAER).
It is a six-year initiative designed to revitalise the rural economy through targeted programmes in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, entrepreneurship, and downstream industries.
The official launch of RAER will take place on May 1st, 2025 in Tambunan, in conjunction with the Sabah Kaamatan Festival, according to a statement from MAFFI today.
Approved by the Sabah State Cabinet, RAER will run from 2025 to 2030, with an initial allocation of RM10 million in its first year.
The initiative is set to directly benefit rural communities across Sabah, with a long-term vision of building resilient and productive rural economies that can contribute meaningfully to the state’s overall growth.
RAER’s core objectives are to:
– Increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in Sabah and beyond,
– Increase and diversify household income sources in rural areas,
– Reduce rural unemployment through expanded agri-sector opportunities, and
– Stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth across Sabah’s countryside.
MAFFI will serve as the lead implementing agency, coordinating efforts across ministries, departments, government agencies, GLCs, GLICs, academic institutions, private sector partners, and community organisations.
Rather than relying on a single entity, RAER envisions the establishment of multiple implementing anchors, including from the commercial sector, to lead specific programme clusters, foster inter-agency coordination, and ensure delivery excellence across its components.
The initiative is grounded in the belief that rural transformation must be a collective effort, involving policymakers, civil servants, community leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and local residents.
RAER aims to foster that collaboration by promoting the unifying slogan “Unity is Duty”, encouraging all Sabahans to take part in the state’s rural revitalisation movement.
The programme targets the participation of 100,000 individuals or rural households, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and operational excellence.
It is projected to generate between RM2.0 billion and RM3.0 billion in economic value for Sabah by the end of its implementation period in 2030.
