KPKM Sets Aside RM2.138 Mln For Various Projects In Four MADANI Adopted Villages

TASEK GELUGOR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has allocated RM2.138 million for the development of various projects, particularly those related to agriculture and livestock farming, for the ministry's four MADANI adopted villages in the Tasek Gelugor area here.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said the projects encompass 112.3 hectares of land in the four adopted villages - Kampung Guar Petai, Kampung Labuh Banting, Kampung Tok Jawa and Kampung Baru.

"Usually, one ministry has one MADANI Adopted Village, but KPKM has four villages here to be developed, and the allocation involves RM1.878 million for the agriculture sector and RM260,514 for the livestock farming sector.

"These projects involve maintenance work on a 20,000-metre-long ditch, liming and levelling of 150 hectares of land, construction of support infrastructure and the provision of modern machinery, such as tractors and drones, as well as agricultural input assistance to control the attack of a fast-growing weed known as 'keladi agas’,” he told reporters here today.

He said this after launching the Kampung Guar Petai Agricultural Sector Empowerment Programme at the Kampung Labuh Banting Flood Relief Centre here today. 

Mohamad said the four villages were selected because he was born and raised in the area, and he wants to continue developing these communities to bring added value to their residents.

He added that the implementation of the projects would increase the effectiveness of the drainage and irrigation systems, reduce yield losses due to pest and weed attacks and improve the efficiency of paddy farmers through the use of modern mechanisation.

"For the livestock subsector, a total of 10 breeders have also received assistance for farm infrastructure, livestock breeds, machinery, equipment and livestock feed with an allocation of RM260,514, thus reducing operating costs and increasing competitiveness.

"Meanwhile, in the downstream industry, KPKM supports local entrepreneurial projects, such as the Ayunis Enterprise Project that produces 'maruku’, with sales value reaching RM2.5 million a year; and the 'Dodol Dapur Kayu’ Project by Mohd Hafiz Ramli, which retains the heritage of traditional recipes, with annual sales of around RM100,000,” he said.

According to him, these initiatives reflected the MADANI government's determination to strengthen the agricultural sector in Penang so that it remains competitive, in addition to ensuring the country's food security.

Mohamad also urged youths to join the agro-food sector by leveraging new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), mechanisation and automation, in tandem with the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

"Digitalisation and modernisation will boost the country's agro-food sector to become more competitive, effective and resilient. Such efforts will not only ensure the country's food security, but also provide lucrative returns for the targeted groups and strengthen their socio-economy,” he said.

-- BERNAMA