MINDEF, PKPS Partner On Ehsan Perwira Agricultural Project

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has partnered with the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) to develop 8.09 hectares of land under the Ehsan Perwira project for Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans.

The exchange of the project’s Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) document between MINDEF secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali and PKPS chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi took place today at the MINDEF Pavilion, in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security Asia (NATSEC) 2026 exhibition.

The document exchange was witnessed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Speaking at a press conference after the ceremony, Amirudin said as a start, 8.09 hectares of MINDEF-owned land have been identified in several districts in Selangor, including Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor.

He said the initial phase of the project is expected to involve 40 participants among MAF veterans, who will undertake cultivation of short-term crops, such as fertigated chillies and cucumbers.

“Through the collaboration, PKPS will act as the farm manager, overseeing technological and technical aspects. Participants are expected to earn a stable monthly income of about RM2,100, excluding bonuses from crop sales.

“Participants are also assured of a market for their produce, which will be purchased directly by PKPS, for distribution to wholesale markets in Selangor and the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah network,” he said.

Amirudin described the collaboration as a strategic move, which combines ministry-owned land assets with the agricultural expertise of the state government.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Khairil said the initiative aims to strengthen the national food security agenda, while providing a second career opportunity for military veterans.

He said each participant will first be screened by the Veterans Affairs Department and PKPS, before undergoing hands-on training throughout the project, to ensure technical skills are acquired directly on the farm, with each participant allocated 0.2 hectares of land.

He added that PKPS’s comprehensive guidance - from land preparation to marketing - is also aimed at developing the potential of veterans identified as having an aptitude for sales.

“The collaboration is expected to be implemented over a five-year period, with a crop cycle of about three months for each harvest,” he said.

-- BERNAMA