MITRA Opens Applications For Malaysian Indian Transformative Agri Programme

SERDANG, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA) has opened applications for the Malaysian Indian Transformative Agri Programme (MITAP) 2024/2025, aimed at cultivating a new generation of competitive agricultural entrepreneurs within the Indian community.

Set to begin in April 2025, MITAP is divided into two initiatives: the Agricultural Development Grant Assistance Programme and the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, and will be managed in collaboration with MARDI Corporation Sdn Bhd (MARDICorp) adopting existing agricultural modules.

MITRA’s Special Task Force chairman, P Prabakaran, announced that RM3.8 million has been allocated for MITAP 2024/2025, to provide an ecosystem for Indian entrepreneurs to engage in the agricultural sector.

“Previously, many farmers from the Indian community have expressed their challenges in agriculture, particularly the lack of sufficient funding. MITRA is now partnering with MARDICorp,” he said at a press conference today.

Under the Agricultural Development Grant Assistance Program, 100 eligible participants will attend a two-day Business Model Canvas seminar, after which 70 participants will be selected for a five-day technical agriculture course at MARDICorp.

The technical course will focus on food crop production, dairy cattle management, beekeeping, oyster mushroom cultivation, freshwater fish farming, and frozen food processing technology. 

Prabakaran explained that the 70 participants selected will be eligible for Agricultural Development Grants of up to RM30,000 and monitored by MARDICorp for six months.

Priority will be given to B40 individuals aged 18 and above, with a valid business license or registration, and who have suitable land or space for agricultural activities.

As for the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, Prabakaran explained that it offers a 10-month agricultural training course, and 30 successful participants will be awarded a Malaysian Skills Certificate (Level 3).

"They will be provided with 0.40 hectares of lease land for six months in Selangor and Johor to develop, as well as receive guidance and monitoring from MARDICorp," he said.

Applications for MITAP 2024/2025 can be submitted via Google Forms at the following links: https://forms.gle/AnVaaSVc2aPjQiCGA for the Agricultural Development Grant Assistance Program, and https://forms.gle/Hbina9VwsSLQ2hAb9 for the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Program.

Applications are open for one month, starting today until Feb 13. More information may be obtained from MITRA at 03-8886 6013 or MARDICorp at 019-3497005/03-8948 4699 from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, or email via sek@mitra.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA