KUALA PILAH, July 25 (Bernama) -- A total of 144,894 smallholders under the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) had been approved to receive the BUDI Agrikomoditi assistance as of July 15, making it the highest number of approved recipients under the ministry to date.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said that despite the encouraging figure, many eligible smallholders have yet to register or remain unfamiliar with the application process.
“Take this opportunity today to ask questions, check your eligibility, and seek clarification from the relevant officers. I hope the public does not come merely to look around, but leaves with at least one piece of new information, an opportunity, or a channel that can help improve their income and family livelihood,” she said.
She was speaking at the Salam Agrikomoditi MADANI programme, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Dataran Melang, here.
Noraini said the ministry would continue to expand public outreach through various initiatives aimed at providing information on financial assistance, technical services, training opportunities, career pathways, and entrepreneurship in the agri-commodity sector.
She explained that the 'Salam Agrikomoditi' programme was introduced to bridge the gap between the ministry and local communities by bringing information on assistance schemes, training, technical services, and industry opportunities directly to the people.
The programme also enables members of the public to engage directly with ministry and agency officials to obtain information on assistance, certification, technical services, and the wide range of opportunities available in the agri-commodity sector.
Noraini added that following the Kuala Pilah programme, the initiative would be expanded nationwide as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots engagement.
“Through this approach, we can hear the people's voices firsthand, better understand their needs, identify the challenges they face, and determine the types of assistance that would genuinely benefit them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the programme has the potential to benefit the local community while contributing to the development of Kuala Pilah's agri-commodity sector.
“I am confident that the goal of developing all the commodities found in Kuala Pilah can be achieved for the benefit of the people, villagers, farmers, and smallholders.
“The government will continue to provide support to ensure Kuala Pilah becomes one of the leading districts in Negeri Sembilan and the country,” he said.
“Take this opportunity today to ask questions, check your eligibility, and seek clarification from the relevant officers. I hope the public does not come merely to look around, but leaves with at least one piece of new information, an opportunity, or a channel that can help improve their income and family livelihood,” she said.
She was speaking at the Salam Agrikomoditi MADANI programme, which was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Dataran Melang, here.
Noraini said the ministry would continue to expand public outreach through various initiatives aimed at providing information on financial assistance, technical services, training opportunities, career pathways, and entrepreneurship in the agri-commodity sector.
She explained that the 'Salam Agrikomoditi' programme was introduced to bridge the gap between the ministry and local communities by bringing information on assistance schemes, training, technical services, and industry opportunities directly to the people.
The programme also enables members of the public to engage directly with ministry and agency officials to obtain information on assistance, certification, technical services, and the wide range of opportunities available in the agri-commodity sector.
Noraini added that following the Kuala Pilah programme, the initiative would be expanded nationwide as part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots engagement.
“Through this approach, we can hear the people's voices firsthand, better understand their needs, identify the challenges they face, and determine the types of assistance that would genuinely benefit them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the programme has the potential to benefit the local community while contributing to the development of Kuala Pilah's agri-commodity sector.
“I am confident that the goal of developing all the commodities found in Kuala Pilah can be achieved for the benefit of the people, villagers, farmers, and smallholders.
“The government will continue to provide support to ensure Kuala Pilah becomes one of the leading districts in Negeri Sembilan and the country,” he said.