Indigenous farming communities in Sabah face mounting pressures from climate change, limited land access, low incomes, poor infrastructure, and a lack of affordable farming equipment. Traditional practices are increasingly threatened by modern development, while farmers remain heavily reliant on costly, environmentally harmful chemical inputs to sustain their harvests. These challenges restrict their ability to produce consistent, high-quality yields and prevent them from fully accessing the modern agricultural value chain.
From 19 February to 2 March 2024, a cohort of 25 participants from six companies and two government bodies representing 10 countries and regions joined the Global Leaders Programme in Hong Kong and Sabah, Malaysia. The programme combined classroom-based learning in Hong Kong with site visits and business planning sessions in Sabah. Participants were tasked with designing innovative, practical solutions to real-world challenges, in this case, uplifting smallholder farmers in Sabah.
Drawing from their diverse professional expertise, the participants developed a business plan for Original Sabah — a farmer-centric venture aimed at improving livelihoods, promoting sustainable farming practices, and preserving indigenous culture. Original Sabah seeks to integrate smallholder farmers into the modern value chain by creating opportunities for scale, market access, and income generation.
At the heart of the model is the transformation of the 27 Community Learning Centres (CLCs) managed by PACOS Trust into Community Learning & Processing Centres (CLPCs). These centres will provide farmers with machinery to process their produce into value-added products such as ginger and turmeric powder, which Original Sabah will then purchase. Farmers will also have the opportunity to own shares in the venture through CLPC Holdings without needing to contribute initial capital for equipment.
Key features of the model
Free and shared infrastructure
Farmers can use processing machinery at no cost and rent farming equipment affordably.Operational efficiency
Original Sabah will streamline logistics through “milk-run” activities, bundled sourcing, and maintenance of machinery to lower costs.Capacity building
Farmers will receive training in food safety and processing techniques to elevate skills and product quality.
Original Sabah will highlight Sabah’s indigenous heritage by cultivating authentic, sustainable products aimed at eco-conscious consumers. By forging partnerships with hotels, food companies, and targeted marketing campaigns, the venture will position its products as symbols of Sabah’s rich cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
The venture is designed to scale gradually. In Year 1, it will pilot operations across seven CLCs around Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud before expanding to all 27 CLCs by Year 3. Financial models include a base case with 7% farmer participation and a growth scenario of 21%. Initial funding will focus on procuring essential processing equipment — from grinders and slicers to refrigerators and packaging machines.