PUTRAJAYA: Sixty-eight individuals have received RM30,000 each in Agricultural Transformation Grants (GTP) under the Malaysian Indian Transformative Agri Programme (MITAP), aimed at boosting Indian community participation in agriculture.
MITAP is an initiative by the Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (MITRA), implemented in collaboration with MARDICorp under the Indian Community Socioeconomic Development Programme.
MITRA director-general K. Raveendran Nair said MITAP is divided into two main components: QuickWin MITRA and the Young Agropreneur Programme (PUM), which build capacity and skills for youth in agricultural entrepreneurship.
“Under QuickWin MITRA, we provided grants of up to RM30,000 to young agropreneurs, benefiting 68 recipients. Meanwhile, PUM involves a 10-month training programme. Eight participants have completed it so far.
“All of them will continue receiving support from MARDI Corp, with opportunities to join government-run agricultural entrepreneurship programmes and initiatives,” he told Bernama after the MITAP grant presentation ceremony here today.
The GTP focuses on food crop production, dairy cattle management, beekeeping, oyster mushroom cultivation, freshwater fish farming, and food processing technology.
Meanwhile, MARDICorp managing director Mohamad Zamir Ghazali said the corporation will continue to guide MITAP participants with the marketing of produce, downstream product development and new technology transfer.
“Some of them have already become association members. The way to empower them to scale up is by bringing them together so they stay on the government’s radar.
“MITAP is not just about gaining new knowledge. It is also a networking platform. I hope all participants make the most of the guidance provided,” he said. — BERNAMA
