RM1b cash crop project for Felda
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry (MAO), in collaboration with the Economic Affairs Ministry, will undertake a RM1 billion crop project to help restore Felda’s financial health within five years.
Its minister, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, said the decision was made at the meeting of the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) yesterday with Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who tabled the new approach.
“To restore Felda’s financial position, perhaps a quarter of the RM1 billion will be used to start the project. Indeed, these two ministries must cooperate.
“The MOA has the expertise through agencies such as Mardi (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) and Fama (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority), which will take on the role of helping Felda and making the cash crop concept a success.”
Salahuddin said this after a town hall session with MOA customers here yesterday.
Describing the measure as a big challenge, Salahuddin said the secretaries-general of both ministries would start discussions, while further measures would be taken at the ministerial level to help Felda increase its income.
On April 10, Azmin had tabled the Felda White Paper themed “Towards Felda’s Sustainability” in Parliament, which explained the issues faced by Felda and its restoration plans.
Salahuddin, who earlier attended the “Meet the Customers” programme organised by Fama, said he had received feedback from entrepreneurs.
He said Fama needed to improve its online business platform www.agrobazaar.com.my “as online sale is the trend and has high potential to assist local entrepreneurs market their products at a higher level”.