IF you are between 18 and 45 years old and want to venture into farming, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is offering a start-up grant worth up to RM30,000.
Johor Fruit Farmers Association chairman Alvins Lo said many people were unaware of the “Geran Agropreneur Muda” (GAM) to assist youths in starting up their own business in farming, livestock farming, fisheries or agro-based industries.
“Interest among youths towards the agricultural sector has increased in recent years.
“We have been receiving many inquiries from youths looking for entrepreneurship opportunities and subsidies in the agriculture sector, which is a good sign,” he said in an interview.
As such, the association organised an agricultural talk in Yong Peng attended by about 40 youths.
Lo said the association invited Batu Pahat Agriculture Department’s urban farming unit assistant officer Muhamad Izad Zolzali who spoke about incentives and subsidy programmes available for the participants to apply.
“He promoted the GAM initiative, which was met with enthusiasm from the attendees as the grant addresses the needs of young farmers by providing them non-cash assistance.
“The speaker gave a detailed explanation about the eligibility of the grant and common reasons for rejection,” said Lo.
He added that Muhamad Izad also gave tips and recommendations for their application such as financial planning and harvest estimates.
Lo said there was an opportunity for GAM recipients to further apply for another initiative called GAM Scale-up, to help them with upstream activities.
“The scale-up grant, worth up to RM50,000 per individual, would be disbursed in the form of agrotechnology, mechanisation and automation equipment.
“In the question-and-answer portion of the event, Muhamad Izad addressed the participants’ concerns and advised them to register their business as an enterprise to ease subsidy applications as well as enjoy future benefits,” he added.
Apart from disseminating information about the incentives, the talk was also a way of bridging the gap between the government agency and young farmers.
Lo said the association would continue working closely with the ministry to organise more talks to promote initiatives such as the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices and Maximum Residue Limits for pesticide use.
“It is through good agricultural practices and management that we can ensure our farmed products reach consumers in a safe and edible condition to improve market standards.
“I also took the opportunity to encourage the young farmers to join the association as a platform to communicate and build strength to contribute to agricultural development,” he said.
