PUTRAJAYA: Some 10,000 families will receive help to rise above the category of hardcore poor under a programme to incorporate farming with small- and medium-scale industries.
Under the proposal, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry will create new growth centres to act as catalysts to develop those living in traditional villages and orang asli settlements.
The areas identified so far are Pulau Banggi (Sabah), Kesedar (Kelantan), Grik (Perak) and Lipis (Pahang), it said in a statement here.
The ministry’s proposal was adopted at the national implementation task force meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Prime Minister’s office here yesterday.
Under the programme, the Government will provide necessary infrastructure, implement commercial farming activities and build kindergartens as well as provide skills training to the youth living in the areas.
The ministry is identifying several other areas for similar programmes, as it has targeted a total of 33,200ha of land and will spend RM1bil for the programme.
