Agriculture Programme Offers Second-Career Options For Retiring, Veterans Of MAF

SERDANG, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- A total of 151 soon-to-be pensioners and veterans of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) have been trained in agriculture through a collaboration between the Armed Forces Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), said Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the programme, launched in March 2023, produced 24 tonnes of chillies and eggplants, three tonnes of catfish, and seven tonnes of sun melon, creating sustainable second-career opportunities in the agri-food sector.

He said the six-month structured training programme covers the entire industry chain, from seedlings and cultivation to production and marketing, and goes beyond basic skills.

“The produce is sold at Putra Mart, UPM Serdang’s sales centre, and to wholesalers across Selangor, giving participants hands-on experience in marketing and managing their crops,” he said after visiting the programme site at Putra Agriculture Centre, UPM, today.

He said the programme provides eight plots for fertigated chillies and eggplants, sun melon, pineapple, corn, mushrooms, as well as quail, chicken, duck, ruminant, and freshwater fish farming.

“The comprehensive training approach allows participants to understand the agricultural business ecosystem, including marketing and digital technology use,” he said, adding that the initiative aligns with the National Defence Industry Policy, particularly Strategic Initiative 12, which empowers retiring personnel and ATM veterans, reinforced under the PERHEBAT 2026-2035 Transformation Plan.

“Under the transformation plan, PERHEBAT will roll out Hebat E-Co, a new initiative to help veterans build group-based agri-food businesses through partnerships with public universities, government agencies, and industry-linked companies,” he added.

-- BERNAMA