PRODUCTIVE WELFARE: More than 400 hardcore poor to benefit from the initiative
PUTRAJAYA: MORE than 400 hardcore poor are now enjoying higher income and better quality of life from the government's agriculture initiative under the National Blue Ocean Strategy 3 (NBOS3).
Chief secretary to the government Datuk Seri Ali Hamsa, who visited the NBOS3 rock melon project, said the government's "productive welfare" initiative not only helped the poor to escape the poverty trap in the short-term, but also raised their income.
The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has formed joint ventures and partnerships with the Defence Ministry to develop high-tech agricultural projects on a three-hectare land in Sepang owned by the armed forces.
"The NBOS has enabled abandoned land and untouched areas to be developed with high value economic activity, especially agricultural projects that make use of technology," Ali said.
Initially, he said the land was not suitable for agriculture due to the muddy soil.
"Advanced agricultural technology has helped to develop this project. Agriculture is no longer confined to fertile land as new techniques and technology can improve the land condition."
Ali said the high-tech agricultural project was helmed by the Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) with a RM4 million budget from the Azam Tani programme and implemented by Melonaire Farm Sdn Bhd.
He said the project would be expanded to three hectares with a cost of RM3 million and is scheduled for completion in September.
Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Abd Shukor Abd Rahman said the second harvest from 10,000 trees earlier this month was very successful, with a total yield of RM100,000 in net profit.
Chief secretary to the government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa (centre) harvesting a rock melon during his visit to National Blue Ocean Strategy 3 project in Sepang. With him are Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Abd Shukor Abd Rahman (left) and Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Hashim Abdullah. Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail
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