UMK to implement integrated bamboo processing programme

KOTA BHARU, Sept 14 -- Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) will conduct an integrated bamboo processing initiative in an effort to ease the burden of the low-income (B40) group, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

B40 Sustainable Social Enterprise (SSE) Programme head, Assoc Prof Dr Wan Mohd Faizal Wan Ishak said the initiative would be implemented through the cooperation between UMK and the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU) under the B40 SSE programme.

He said the programme, led by him and UMK researchers, namely Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Najmi Masri, Ts Dr Mazlan Mohamed, Mohd Aswawi Isa and Alifah Adnan, was also part of the initiatives under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (RMK-11), aimed at strengthening inclusive development and the well-being of the people, especially the B40 group.

“UMK has been appointed as a strategic partner to work together to help improve the well-being and socio-economic status of the B40 group, especially Bumiputera in Jeli, Kelantan.

 “TERAJU has allocated RM2,346,000 under the Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Fund (DPUB) to implement the programme,” he said in a statement, here today.

Wan Mohd Faizal said the programme would focus on a cluster project that involved local residents and the Orang Asli community in Jeli with a minimum number of 50 participants.

He said a dynamic model would be adopted by taking into account all factors such as the use of technologies to increase the productivity of production of processed bamboo fuel.

“This project is expected to provide great benefits as well as opportunities for the B40 group to  increase their income,” he said.

“It will also allow locals to be involved in the bamboo-based industry which could significantly contribute to various other industries in Malaysia and produce products that have the potential to be exported to countries such as Japan and Turkey,” he said.

-- BERNAMA