The Plight of Sabah’s Rural Farmers - And How Sustainable Farming Can Help!

In the remote villages of Kota Belud, Sabah, many underprivileged rural farmers face daily challenges that threaten their families’ livelihoods and long-term survival. 

Limited access to clean water, outdated farming practices, and unstable incomes have made everyday life a constant struggle. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened things — pushing more families into poverty and worsening food insecurity across Sabah’s B40 communities.

Why Sustainable Farming Matters for Rural Farmers in Sabah

There are two major barriers trapping rural Sabahans in a cycle of generational poverty: lack of clean water and unsustainable farming.

Without a reliable water source, many farmers have to walk long distances just to collect enough water for their crops. During Sabah’s dry seasons, this becomes nearly impossible. And without water? There are no crops — and no food or income for the family.

Unsustainable Farming Is Hurting Their Future

Many rural farmers in Sabah still rely on traditional, harmful farming practices like slash-and-burn or excessive chemical use. These practices damage the soil and reduce long-term harvests.

This means farming families often can’t produce enough to eat, let alone sell. Instead of thriving on their land, they’re forced to buy food — which defeats the purpose of farming to survive.

A Lack of Tools, Skills, and Market Access

These rural farmers often lack proper training, farming tools, and local market connections; leaving them vulnerable to support their families with whatever little they are able to make each month.

This is where our NGO in Malaysia steps in.

How Our NGO in Malaysia is Making a Difference

At Hopes Malaysia, we are committed to empowering these rural families through long-term, sustainable solutions that truly work — not just quick fixes. 

We align our work with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus three main areas through our Sustainable Farming Sabah Project:

1.Clean Water Access for Farming (SDG 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation)

We build gravity-fed water systems to bring clean water straight to rural homes and farms. With water taps near their fields, farmers can grow crops consistently and save hours of walking every day.

Rural villagers transporting the water pipelines from the lorry to their project site

Rural villager carrying the water pipeline across the river towards their water catchment

Villagers carefully tie the water pipes onto poles to prevent them from being crushed by vehicles.

Villagers working in unity to carry the pipes to the water catchment

Connecting the water pipelines together

Rural farmer using the gravity water to water her crops

2.Chemical-Free, Sustainable Farming Training (SDG 1 - No Poverty, SDG2 - Zero Hunger)

We provide hands-on, sustainable farming training — teaching farmers how to grow diverse food without relying on harmful chemicals. This improves food security, reduces expenses, and helps vulnerable families become self-sufficient.

Empowering rural farmers with the skills and knowledge to start farming sustainably

Rural farmers with their newly received farming materials ready to kickstart their farming journey

Educating the rural farmers how to properly set up farm nets to prevent pest attacks

Efandi checking on rural farmer's progress

Rural farmers and their freshly harvested self grown vegetables

Rural farmer and her self grown long beans

3.Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs (SDG 5 - Gender Equality, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth)

We focus on equipping farmers, especially rural women with business skills to sell their produce locally and generate income. This supports women’s empowerment, improves household resilience, and boosts local economies.

Rural farmers selling their self grown vegetables and self made food at a nearby market

Farmer selling her homemade snacks at the stall

Growing their own vegetables has provided them with extra income to support their families

Your Support Can Break the Cycle of Poverty

Your support and sponsorship with our NGO in Malaysia can sustainably rural farming families break free from poverty. These initiatives don’t just improve food and water access — they strengthen economic resilience and build healthier, self-reliant communities. Through CSR Malaysia partnerships and recurring donations, we can expand our reach and deliver long-term change to even more rural families in Sabah.

How You Can Make a Real Difference

Want to be part of our Malaysia sustainability mission?

Click the button below to support our high-impact development initiatives for rural farmers — whether as a CSR partner or by donating to our NGO in Malaysia.

Support Rural Farmers

Be the reason a rural farmer in Sabah no longer goes to bed hungry.