Aqina Fruits-Agrobank Agro Programme Drives Zero Hunger Mission, Empowers B40 Group

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, March 28 (Bernama) -- The B40 Community Agro Programme for MD2 Pineapple Farming, implemented by Aqina Fruits Sdn Bhd (AFSB) in collaboration with Agrobank, drives and supports the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, by empowering the low-income group in the agricultural sector.

AFSB director Wesley Tan Seah Ging said the programme, which started in 2020, guides local farmers to become successful entrepreneurs, helping them sustain their income and escape poverty by providing a pathway towards financial stability.

He said the initiative also received recognition at the 2023 JCI Malaysia Sustainable Development Awards, which strengthened the company’s commitment to sustainable food production as well as empowering smallholders to improve their livelihoods and build a better future.

According to him, as of December last year, a total of 87 local B40 farmers had been appointed as contract farmers and received financing approval from Agrobank, the development financial institution which manages the fund while AFSB acts as the project developer.

“In addition to the B40 participants, the project also opened opportunities to Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans in 2024 through a collaboration with the MAF Veteran Affairs Department,” he told Bernama.

Tan said AFSB ensures participants are guided and supported in all aspects of agricultural operations and financial management, including practical farm training such as crop measurement and weight assessment, fertilisation methods, and foliar applications.

He said the company also assists with documentation of records and data related to planting plots as well as crop buyback guarantees for contract farmers to ensure continuous market access especially involving existing clients, with monthly meetings held to discuss issues and project progress.

“Additionally, there are certified accountants presenting the balance sheet and monthly cash flow statement of each participant, as well as (guidance on) course participation and the procurement of relevant agricultural certifications issued by agencies such as the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board and the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

According to Tan, the diverse skills provided serve as a stepping stone for participants to become highly skilled and competitive entrepreneurs.

He said all the programmes are carried out at three locations: Pekoti Timur, Rompin, Pahang; FGV Chuping Agro Valley, Chuping, Perlis; and Beaufort, Sabah.

The initiative has achieved several milestones, including the success of some contract farmers who have been able to establish and run their own businesses independently while still participating in the programme.

“For example, after completing the first cycle, several contract farmers were able to repurchase fruits from us and become pineapple suppliers for the domestic market,” he said.

In addition, 20 contract farmers successfully obtained Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGAP) certification under AFSB’s guidance as the project developer.

Tan said the pineapple producer will continue collaborating with Agrobank, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and its agencies to contribute to economic growth in terms of people’s income as well as national commodity production.

The company will also ensure that local farmers are able to start their own businesses with low risk and become pineapple entrepreneurs who are highly skilled in both the agricultural and financial management aspects.

Agrobank president and group chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin was reported last year as saying that in total, the contract farming collaboration between Agrobank and AFSB under the B40 model had secured RM24 million in funding.

He said Agrobank remains committed to empowering asnaf and B40 entrepreneurs through the iTEKAD grant, under which Agrobank provides financing facilities of up to RM280,000 for each participant in the pineapple cultivation project to cover initial project capital.

The project is part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the socioeconomic development of communities, particularly among the low-income group, while also stimulating the growth of the agricultural sector and increasing national pineapple production to meet local market demand and for potential export.

-- BERNAMA