MyHero Tani Opens New Income Streams For MAF Veterans In Modern Farming

JERTIH, June 13 (Bernama) -- The MyHero Tani programme, jointly implemented by Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) and Yayasan Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (YVATM), is providing Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans, particularly those in the B40 category, with opportunities to generate income through modern farming.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said the first phase of the programme involved 10 MAF veterans from Terengganu taking part in a sweet potato planting project on a five-acre plot of land owned by UniSZA in Tembila, Besut.

“We are confident that the collaboration is a very good initiative as it not only involves planting, but also encompasses various aspects including research, processing of crop products and marketing,” he said after the launch of the MyHero Tani Programme at UniSZA Besut Campus, here today.

Adly said under the first phase of the programme, RM7,000 per acre, or RM35,000 in total, was channelled by YVATM to UniSZA for the implementation of the project, including land preparation, farm infrastructure, seeds and fertilisers, as well as research and development.

He said the projecct would be implemented in phases, with the second phase expected to see the planting area expanded by an additional five acres and new crops introduced.

“In the second phase, we will carry out the project at the same site and select new participants. Our focus is to optimise land use and strengthen the veteran economy,” he said, adding that the crops for the first phase had been cultivated since last January.

Adly said the project was also developed with the support of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)’s expertise, which provides technical guidance, research and the use of technology in crop management.

He said the project also leverages modern technology in the processing of agricultural produce into value-added goods such as crisps and other sweet potato-based products.

Adly said each participant is expected to earn about RM7,000 per harvest season, which takes around three months, while each acre of land is estimated to generate RM8,400 in revenue.

He said that the three-year strategic collaboration with UniSZA could also see the project expanded to other states if the model meets its set targets, particularly in helping MAF veterans on the East Coast address logistics and marketing challenges for agricultural products.

At the event, Adly also presented 16 laptops to the children of MAF veterans studying at public higher education institutions.

He said the donation was part of a total of 112 laptops contributed by Etiqa General Takaful Berhad through the Corporate Zakat Responsibility initiative, with a total value of RM238,000.

Adly also presented contributions to 15 MAF veteran widows from the asnaf group, in addition to handing over 500 Bakul Rahmah to the Terengganu MAF Veterans Association, villagers around Besut district, and nearby schools.

--BERNAMA