SHAH ALAM, April 22 — Sabak Bernam recorded over 35 per cent rise in average income from 2021 to 2025, driven largely by agro-ecotourism that boosted visitor numbers and supported local businesses, said state executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail.
He said the growth was driven by high-potential local economic activities, particularly in agro-ecotourism, alongside the expansion of homestays, improved basic facilities at nature-based tourism sites, and the promotion of rural heritage and unique local food.
“Based on data from the Statistics Department (DOSM), residents’ income in Sabak Bernam increased from 2021 to 2025 by an average of 35.71 per cent.
“The number of tourists last year also rose 74 per cent from 2024, from 41,032 visitors to 71,414.
“This (tourism) sector has been able to generate returns and stimulate the local economic cycle for entrepreneurs and traders in Sabak Bernam,” he said during the question-and-answer session during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
However, Rizam said padi farmers continue to face challenges due to crop diseases, pests, and rising operation costs, which have kept average incomes relatively low.
To address this, he said, the state government has introduced targeted support under its economic stimulus measures, including a RM25 million allocation for the agriculture sector.
“The assistance, starting from June 2026, will provide cash aid of RM500 per hectare to 18,000 padi farmers for one planting season,” Rizam said.
Additional support includes RM450 monthly in agricultural input aid for farmers, livestock breeders and aquaculture operators, as well as a RM300 monthly diesel subsidy for fishermen for six months.
He added that the state is also strengthening the cooperative ecosystem to boost grassroots incomes, including a RM6 million grant through Koperasi Warga Hijrah Selangor Bhd (Kohijrah) and the establishment of a Selangor Agricultural Cooperatives Yield Collection Centre in Sabak Bernam.
Rizam also expressed hope that these initiatives would sustainably raise incomes and develop Sabak Bernam based on its economic strengths, making it a progressive, sustainable, and prosperous rural district.
