KEDA MADANI VILLAGE AWARDS EMPOWERS LOCAL ECONOMIES, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - JAMIL KHIR

ALOR SETAR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) is confident that the KEDA MADANI Village Awards (ADKM) will empower KEDA's rural areas towards cultivating prosperous, thriving and progressive communities.

KEDA chairman Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the biennial competition is poised to eradicate hardcore poverty by promoting village products and leveraging internet platforms for marketing.

“The awards aim to raise awareness and promote practices that uphold health, environmental cleanliness and the development of cohesive, attractive and well-organised villages. Crucially, we are committed to tackling hardcore poverty. Competitions like this are pivotal in boosting the economic prospects of those among the KEDA community. 

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“Through the prizes, winners can generate income, such as through eco-tourism projects involving more villagers, particularly youths,” he told reporters after the KEDA MADANI Village Awards 2024 presentation ceremony held here today.

Jamil Khir said the competition serves as a role model and mentor for other KEDA villages in fostering social and economic leadership within their communities.

“With 56 KEDA villages across the state, our goal is for each village to have its unique products promoted on social media. This 'one village, one product' strategy drives our collective mission to alleviate hardcore poverty," he emphasised.

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In this year's competition, Desa KEDA Nagalilit, representing Zone 6 in Kulim, was announced as the champion. Desa KEDA Tanjung Setol from Zone 3 in Pendang/Pokok Sena secured the runner-up position, while Desa KEDA Ulu Bakai in Zone 5, Baling achieved third place.

Nine KEDA villages competed in total, representing their respective zones, aiming for a combined prize pool of RM195,000.

-- BERNAMA