1,127 YOUNG AGROPRENEURS RECEIVE GRANT TOTALLING RM21.27 MLN

KAMPAR, Aug 24  -- A total of 1,127 Young Agropreneurs have received assistance amounting to RM21.27 million through the Young Agropreneur Grant that had been implemented since in 2016.

Agriculture and Food Industry Deputy Minister II Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said RM7.63 million of the amount was allocated to the crop sector involving 380 participants, and RM1.2 million to the fisheries sector involving 61 participants.

He said the livestock sector received RM9.24 million involving 459 participants while RM3.18 million went to 227 participants involved in the food processing sector.

“This grant assistance covers all sectors under agro-food, namely crops, fisheries, livestock, food industry and marketing.

“This year till now, in Perak State alone, 17 young agropreneurs have received approval for grants amounting to RM333,600,” he said after officiating the Perak Young Agropreneur Roadshow at Gopeng Rural Transformation Centre near here today.

Che Abdullah said to date, 6,063 young agropreneurs nationwide have received approval for the Young Agropreneur Special Financing and Grant involving an allocation of RM108.29 million.

During the roadshow today, the deputy minister visited the MD2 pineapple cultivation and crystal honey projects owned by Muhamad Faris Mohd Fozi, 23, who received a RM20,000 grant this year for input supply such as fertilisers and pesticides, besides guidance from the Farmers Organisation Authority.

Muhammad Faris shared with reporters when met, that he ventured into pineapple cultivation in 2018 on 1.11 hectares in Gua Tempurung here and expanded the endeavour on 4,468 hectares in Taman Seri Raia, Kampung Kepayang here, after receiving the grant.

“This programme has enabled youths to go into agriculture,” he said, adding that he earns more than RM50,000 a year from the perennial crop.

-- BERNAMA