Agro-based industry entrepreneur carnival chalks up over RM109,000 sales

SIBU: The three- day state-level Agro-Based Industry ( IAT) Entrepreneur Carnival 2017 held here from Oct 27 till 29 chalked up RM109,640 in sales, according to Sarawak Agriculture Department deputy director Dr Alvin Chai Lian Kuet, who noted that the carnival involved 55 entrepreneurs.

“The carnival gave big impact to IAT entrepreneurs across the state. Among the objectives of the carnival was to produce competitive IAT entrepreneurs.

“We also wanted to enhance IAT entrepreneurs’ skills in promoting products. The carnival was an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to do business matching.

“Itwasgearedtowardspromoting the entrepreneurs’ products apart from assisting them in the sale of their products,” he said at the state-level IAT dinner here on Sunday.

Chai said IAT entrepreneurs were always given opportunities to follow sales and promotion activities such as ‘ Showcase Bumiputera Entrepreneurs’ in Johor, national-level Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-Tourism ( MAHA), ‘ Hari Petani, Penternak dan Nelayan’, ‘Satu Daerah Satu Industri’, and Halal Festival among others.

According to him, 127 entrepreneurs have so far this year joined several promotions and generated total sales of RM473,260.

For each entrepreneur who obtained projects under IAT and family economy ( EK), Sarawak Agriculture Department would require them to attend courses organised by the department.

Entrepreneurs are trained to use the entrepreneur business record book ( BRPU) to give entrepreneurial motivation and business management during the course.

Chai disclosed that this year, there are 443 entrepreneurs under the department’s guidance.

He pointed out that the project guidance and monitoring system under IAT and EK is mature system as the records are constantly updated through BRPU.

As a result, IAT and EK officers could prepare performance report to monitor the development of projects carried out by entrepreneurs.

Chai also mentioned that IAT and EK are important sections of the department as they play pivotal role in upping the incomes of agro-based community.

“These sections are capable of eradicating poverty as well as produce high income individuals through entrepreneur development and food industry programmes,” he added.