MOA allocates RM10m to help poor farmers venture into SME

The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA) has allocated RM10 million to help poor farmers venture into Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).

Its minister Salahuddin Ayub (above) said the farmers taking part in the programme will be given equipment and training including for producing traditional cakes which are still much in demand.

‘’The equipment is worth RM10,000 for every qualified participant,’’ he said when met after visiting a traditional cake entrepreneur under the Rezeki Tani Programme, Mohd Nor Husain, 56, in Kampung Jelor, Pasir Puteh today.

Also present was Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority chairman Husam Musa.

The ministry is prepared to increase the fund if it is not enough to help those farmers in real need of assistance, Salahuddin said.

Salahuddin said officers under the ministry must go down to the field and seek out truly poor farmers and rope them into the programme without having to wait for an application form to arrive at their office to be processed, as previously done.

‘’Definitely, they must choose those who are really diligent and willing to work hard to change their circumstances,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Nor said he could produce 250 to 300 traditional cakes a day especially akok, bauhulu and bederam after receiving the necessary equipment, since starting his endeavour four years ago.

‘’I earn RM100 to RM150 a day which is lucrative for a village resident,’’ he said.

Mohd Nor, who is assisted by his wife, Sharifah Mat Hassan, 52, receives orders from the residents of Besut, Terengganu other than the local market especially for weddings and other functions.

- Bernama