Rural area's turn to shine

ACCESS TO SERVICES: RTC Kelantan next phase of transformation programme

THE Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) programme was implemented in the middle of last year and was aimed at bringing development to the rural population.

Selected RTCs are transformed into centres for various development under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS).

Various ministries, departments and agencies have combined forces to lend their expertise to realise the goal of spearheading rural development. The strategy aims to maximise resources in the ministries to bring about rural development at a lower cost and with a quick-win turnaround time.

The implementation of the RTC programme involves eight initiatives with the collaboration of five ministries. These are:

MINISTRY OF RURAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT to lead skills training for rural folks and 1Malaysia information kiosk initiatives;

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRO-BASED INDUSTRY to lead the high-value agriculture, agro-food processing and agriculture product supply chain;

HIGHER EDUCATION MINISTRY to lead the varsity cooperation initiative;

HEALTH MINISTRY to lead food safety service and pharmaceutical; and

FINANCE MINISTRY to lead financial funding for the rural populace.

These initiatives will be executed at RTCs and surrounding areas up to 100km away.

At the first stage of implementation, the Terminal Agribisnes Negara (TEMAN) at Gopeng has been designated as a pioneer project at its launch by the prime minister on Feb 18.

The RTC programme will then be expanded to other RTCs, including Kelantan.

The Kelantan RTC will become instrumental in implementing activities planned for the state and parts of Terengganu. Collaboration among the private sector, government and the people is essential to propel rural transformation.

The areas covered include Kota Baru, Tanah Merah, Machang, Kuala Krai, Gua Musang, Besut, Setiu, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Kuala Berang and Tasik Kenyir.

RTC Kelantan is selected for its infrastructure, which reduces development cost while allowing various ministries to share resources.

The theme for the RTC Kelantan is "1Stop-centre for various services" as RTC Kelantan is the centre for various services by the government and private sectors, such as wholesale and retail services of fresh produce, banking services from Bank Simpanan Nasional, Agrobank and TEKUN Nasional, Road Transport Department mobile counter, mobile Pos Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia specialist centre (MKY Surgicare Sdn Bhd), 1Malaysia Information Centre, National Registration Department and Immigration Department.

With the RTC, the rural population now has better access to many services, which also generate economic opportunities.

The government aims to transform the rural population's quality of life with the implementation of programmes under RTC Kelantan.

Rural folks are urged to grab the opportunity to use the RTC as a platform to market rural products to the international level, thereby, gradually eradicating rural poverty.

Some of the benefits include:

CREATING a competitive and progressive rural population;

IMPROVING the quality and quantity of rural products;

EXPANDING the market reach of rural products;

IMPROVING the income of rural population; and,

REDUCING the poverty rate.

Produce, such as limes, from rural areas can be found at agribusiness centres in the country.

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Rural area's turn to shine

ACCESS TO SERVICES: RTC Kelantan next phase of transformation programme

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