BACKGROUND

UNDP/GEF-IDS Demo Plot Project is a joint-venture effort involving IDS (Sabah) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia and Global Environment Facility (GEF). On February, 2003 a memorandum of agreement between the parties was sealed for the project implementation entitled Promoting Demonstrational Plots of Medicinal Plants and Herbs Biodiversity and Their Related traditional Knowledge.

The objective of the project is to promote design, test and maintain demonstrational plots of medicinal plants collection using traditional method and knowledge of the local communities and research institutions. The Demo Plot is located at Km. 1.8, Kelatuan-Pemadam Road, at Mile 30, Papar-Beaufort Road under the N19 Pantai Manis of the State Legislative Assembly boundary. The project occupies 5 acres of land.

The aim of this Demo Plot is to prepare a test field for commercial domestication on selected herbs from the state's natural biodiversity resources for the future use of potential herbs factory/industry, besides having series of hands-on training course programme and self managing aimed for disseminating knowledge to local communities about the best method for designing, preparing test field/showcase on selected herbs for development and commercial propagation. Other activities include documenting traditional knowledge of plants and its usage in primary health care.

The Launching Ceremony of this Demo Plot Project Site located at Km 1.8, Kelatuan-Pemadam Road, Mile 30, Papar-Beaufort Road was officiated on 29th April, 2003 by Sabah's Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, YB Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail.

A preliminary consultation phase with the local communities was held before the site launching in conjunction with the Majlis Dialog Bersama JKKK/KK Mengenai Projek UNDP/GEF-IDS at Papar Library Hall on 1st March, 2003. The aim of the Majlis Dialog is to further explain about the UNDP/GEF-IDS project to all the village head and community development leaders of five mukim around Kimanis, Papar, Sabah. These mukims are Mukim Kelanahan, Limbahau, Benoni, Batu Enam and Gadong.

The Institute for Development Studies Sabah (IDS) is a non-profit organization established by the State Government to undertake a research pertaining to economic, social, political and public administrative development and to recommend policy proposals to the government. IDS also organizes conferences, seminars, workshops and discussions to seek public opinions on topics and issues which can affect political, economic and social stability in Sabah.

UNDP is the United Nations' global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries. In Malaysia, we work with our partners on their own solutions to global and national challenges.

As Malaysia builds its own development solutions, it can draw on UNDP's global network for knowledge and resources from around the world. UNDP's partnership in Malaysia began since 1957, matching assistance in step with Malaysia's own five-year development plans, by lending support to the country's industrialization policy; the diversification of its agricultural base; and human resources development.

The Global Facility (GEF) was established as a joint international effort to help solve global environmental problems. The GEF Trust Fund was established by a World Bank resolution on March 12, 1991 while the Facility was formally established in October 1991 as a joint programme between the United Nations Development Programme, UNEP and the World Bank.

The GEF provides new and additional grant and concessional funding to meet the incremental costs of measures to achieve global environmental benefits in four focal area, namely: protection of biological diversity; reduction of greenhouse gases; protection of international waters; and protection of the ozone layer.

INSTITUTE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (SABAH)

7th Floor, Block C,
Karamunsing Complex
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

(Mary / Justin / Steve / Rohana / Rechel (Demo Plot))

Tel: 088-246166 / 246167
Fax: 088-241820 / 234707

Email: info@ids.org.my