KOTA KINABALU: The completion of the Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (Iada) Complex can be as early as 2027 if the tender process for the project can be executed and finalised this year.

       Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup shared this optimism during a working visit to the Kota Belud district Iada office on Thursday (March 7).

       The government allotted RM36mil for the complex construction in 2022. This initiative was one of the efforts to strengthen the functions of Iada and help develop Sabah, particularly in the paddy planting sector within the Kota Belud district.

       “The groundworks at the site have been completed, and we hope the Sabah Public Works Department can start the tender process this year.

       “If the project can successfully be tendered in 2024, we anticipate the complex to be ready in 2027,” he said in a statement issued after the working visit.

       Arthur also voiced his commitment and willingness to meet up with the state Works Minister, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, to discuss options to expedite the tender process.

       He believed that the complex would not only become a landmark for the country’s paddy and rice industry development but also contribute to a more holistic development of the area, including paddy growers in developmental activities so they could become more efficient.

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       “This complex can be their training centre to improve their knowledge, as well as a place to conduct workshops on agriculture machinery, agriculture-related lab analysis and such,” he added.

       During the event, Arthur also met with paddy growers from the district and presented a mock cheque for the paddy field development area, paddy machinery for the Kota Belud paddy growers cooperative and for water pump purchase totalling RM707,772, which is expected to benefit around 600 paddy farmers there.