The government has implemented various development projects and handed out assistance via its agencies in Sabah to ensure the welfare of farmers, breeders and fishermen in the state are looked after, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin.

He said for instance, the Sabah office of the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) allocated RM300 per month each to over 16,000 fishermen in the state under the Fishermen Cost of Living Allowance involving RM57 million per annum.

"It aims to help the fishermen to cover their daily cost of living. In fact, the hardcore poverty eradication programme for fishermen which is being implemented by Ko-Nelayan (Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Cooperative) has been of great help to the fishermen.

"Prior to this, a total of RM10.19 million was allocated to help 824 poor fishermen in Sabah," he said when officiating the Sabah Farmers, Breeders, Fishermen Convention here today.

Also present was Sabah LKIM director Mohd Jamil Abdullah.

Yahya, who is also Sabah Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) allocated RM189.6 million via the Federal Government Paddy Fertiliser Scheme and Paddy Production Incentive Scheme since the 10th Malaysia Plan which had benefited 26,924 farmers in the state.

On the other hand, the livestock production in Sabah had achieved a modern status and high productivity due to the use of technology-driven processes especially in the sub-sector of chicken, eggs and pigs, he added.

-- BERNAMA