IPR-INTAN NCER Expected To Contribute To Country's Agricultural Production

PADANG BESAR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The People’s Income Initiative-Agro-Entrepreneur Initiative (IPR-INTAN) for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) is expected to contribute to the country's agricultural production and strengthen its food security agenda.

IPR-INTAN NCER Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) assistant general manager Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainal Abidin said the programme, which focuses on crop activities, has the potential to help the country reduce its reliance on imported products and increase the income of the B40 group.

"For example, many agricultural products are still imported at a rate of 75 per cent while local production stands at only 25 per cent. With the implementation of the IPR-INTAN, we not only help the B40 group but also contribute to increasing the country's agricultural production,” he said.

He told reporters this during an interview session with IPR-INTAN NCER participants in Perlis at Dewan Seri Melati, Beseri, near here, that was also attended by Perlis Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) director Ahmad Firdaus Hashim.

Iskandar Zulkarnain said the IPR-INTAN NCER programme participants had the opportunity to obtain Malaysian Skills Certification (SKM) up to Level 3 and financial management training respectively through collaboration with the Department of Skills Development.

"We want the participants to start as employees before finally becoming agro-entrepreneurs. This programme will not only increase their income but also produce skilled workers in modern agriculture,” he said.

Iskandar Zulkarnain said that among the crops grown by the participants through IPR-INTAN NCER in Perlis are chilli, okra, papaya, watermelon, rock melon, mushrooms, passion fruit and bananas, with 80 participants currently involved in the implementation of the phases one and two of the programme.

"IPR-INTAN NCER in Perlis is now entering phase three, with phase two having started in January 2024. Phase three is in progress and, once completed, it will see the farm size in Perlis increase to 865 acres and the involvement of an estimated 745 participants. The farm size for phases one and two is 125 acres,” he said. 

He said that through the implementation of this programme, they have introduced modern agricultural practices, such as net house farming to replace the greenhouse system, with an emphasis on crops that are suitable to the weather in Perlis, such as watermelons.

He added that the IPR-INTAN NCER in Perlis also received support from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) through a mushroom planting programme and implementation of an agricultural project in Lembah Chuping, near here.

-- BERNAMA