JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) hopes Budget 2027, which is scheduled to be tabled in October, will continue to focus on strengthening agricultural and livestock research to enhance the country’s food security.
MARDI director-general Datuk Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the agency would focus, among others, on research into strategic crops such as rice, coconut, sweet potatoes, onions and corn, as well as the livestock sector, starting next year.
He said attention would also be given to entrepreneur development programmes, including the Rezeki Tani and Young Agropreneur programmes.
“All these are programmes that we are seeking through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). We are seeking what we have proposed and targeted for our research,” he told a press conference after the launch of the Kampung Angkat MADANI (MADANI adopted village) initiative in Kampung Maju Jaya here today.
He said this when asked about the agency’s focus and hopes for Budget 2027.
Mohamad Zabawi said MARDI was estimated to apply for RM40 million annually for research under the Malaysia Plan.
On the Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative, he said RM500,000 had been allocated for infrastructure development, economic empowerment and community well-being in Kampung Maju Jaya.
He said RM250,000 of the allocation was for upgrading and repairing the village’s multipurpose hall, RM44,000 for the Community and Well-being Day programme, and RM200,000 for the Community Entrepreneur Development programme.
He said MARDI also planned to empower small-scale food entrepreneurs in the village by improving their products, as well as introducing an urban farming project.
“My hope is that regardless of the socioeconomic status here, including those involved in agriculture or food entrepreneurship, we can help them expand their businesses and generate higher incomes,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
