Can Sabah Feed Itself? Rice and Food Self-Sufficiency Explained
Can Sabah grow enough rice to feed itself?
Not yet. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said in May 2025 that Sabah produces only about 22.8% of the rice it needs, so most rice is imported. The state launched the Sabah Padi and Rice Board with targets of 30% rice self-sufficiency by 2026 and 60% by 2030. Nationally, Malaysia targets 80% rice self-sufficiency by 2030.
How much of its rice does Sabah grow?
According to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, speaking in May 2025, Sabah produces only about 22.8% of its local rice demand, leaving it heavily dependent on imports. For comparison, Malaysia's national rice self-sufficiency level was 63% in 2019, the baseline year in the National Agrofood Policy.
At the same launch, the state gave figures for its paddy land: 13,266 hectares of hill padi, with an estimated potential of 30,424 tonnes a year, and 22,218 hectares in six key paddy districts, farmed by 16,018 farmers.
Source: The Star, 10 May 2025. We have not found an official 2026 figure for Sabah's rice self-sufficiency.
What is Sabah doing about it?
On 10 May 2025 the state launched the Sabah Padi and Rice Board to reduce dependence on imported rice. Its stated targets are:
| Year | Sabah rice self-sufficiency target |
|---|---|
| May 2025 (stated level) | About 22.8% |
| 2026 | 30% |
| 2030 | 60% |
Status as of September 2026: we have not found a published update on progress towards the 2026 target.
What are Malaysia's national food targets?
The National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030 (DAN 2.0) sets self-sufficiency targets for Malaysia as a whole. It does not set separate targets for Sabah.
| Food | 2019 | 2030 target |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 63.0% | 80.0% |
| Fruit | 78.2% | 83.0% |
| Vegetables | 44.6% | 79.0% |
| Beef | 22.3% | 50.0% |
| Mutton | 11.8% | 30.0% |
| Food fish | 93.0% | 98.0% |
| Fresh milk | 63.0% | 100.0% |
| Poultry meat | 104.1% | 140.0% |
| Eggs | 119.1% | 123.0% |
Source: DAN 2.0, printed pp.22–23. Above 100% means Malaysia produces more than it consumes.
What do the federal plans say about Sabah?
- Food corridor: the 13th Malaysia Plan says a corridor spanning east-coast Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak will be developed as a food production hub. See what RMK13 promises Sabah.
- River fisheries: RMK13 says the tagal river-management system practised in Sabah and Sarawak will be extended to Peninsular Malaysia.
- Specialty rice: DAN 2.0 says heirloom specialty rice varieties in Sabah and Sarawak are "on the rise for greater market development", and that specialty rice commands a higher selling price.
DAN 2.0's 80% rice target is national. On the Chief Minister's figure, Sabah would need to raise its local share of rice about 2.6 times, from 22.8% to 60%, to reach its own 2030 target.
Frequently asked questions
Q Is Sabah self-sufficient in rice?
Q What is Sabah's rice self-sufficiency target?
Q What is Malaysia's national rice self-sufficiency target?
Q What is SSL?
Sources & References 3 sources
Last verified: 27 September 2026
Primary sources
- National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030 (DAN 2.0), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Printed pp.22–23 (national self-sufficiency targets for 2025 and 2030) and p.149 (Sabah and Sarawak heirloom specialty rice).
- Thirteenth Malaysia Plan 2026-2030 (Ministry of Economy) Food production corridor including Sabah; tagal system.