KOTA KINABALU, Nov 27 — The Sabah government is working on expanding paddy farming from 24,000 to 30,000 hectares to increase rice Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) from 22.08 to 30 per cent, the state assembly was informed today.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also state agriculture, fisheries, and food industry minister, said it is a critical step towards increasing food production and ensuring sufficient food supply.

"With the Sabah Padi Board now, the state government can manage the development of paddy farming and rice production,” he said when answering Daud Yusof’s (Warisan-Bongawan) question on the government’s efforts to increase food supply in the state.

Jeffrey said the ministry has also come up with numerous strategies through the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), which include expanding feedlot cattle farming by developing mega cattle farms.

He said the DVS project with a government-linked company in Balung, Tawau is expected to increase beef cattle from 53,000 heads this year to 155,000 heads by 2030.

Meanwhile, state Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Christina Liew said Sabah’s tourist arrivals are projected to increase by 15 to 25 per cent next year gauging from the estimated numbers this year.

"However, the figures are subject to revision based on the current global economy, number of flights into Sabah, and also tourism trends,” she said when answering Datuk Yusof Yacob’s (GRS-Sindumin) question regarding the number of tourists to Sabah for this year and 2024.

Christina said the estimated tourist arrivals for this year is 2.2 million, generating an income of RM4.5 billion, considering the latest statistics as of September which stands at 1,883,794 compared to 1,190,513 last year, for the same period.

She said domestic visitors were recorded at 1,287,279 while international visitors were 596,515. — Bernama