SERDANG: The Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) has initiated applications for the Malaysian Indian Transformative Agri Programme (MITAP) 2024/2025, with the aim of fostering a new generation of competitive agricultural entrepreneurs within the Indian community.
Slated to commence in April 2025, MITAP is split into two initiatives - the Agricultural Development Grant Assistance Programme and the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme.
These will be managed in association with Mardi Corporation Sdn Bhd (MardiCorp), utilising existing agricultural modules.
Mitra Special Task Force chairman, P. Prabakaran, announced that RM3.8mil has been allocated for MITAP 2024/2025, to provide an ecosystem for Indian entrepreneurs to engage in the agricultural sector.
"Many farmers from the Indian community have cited challenges in agriculture, particularly the lack of adequate funding. Mitra is now collaborating with MardiCorp,” he stated.
Under the Agricultural Development Grant Assistance Programme, 100 eligible participants will attend a two-day Business Model Canvas seminar.
Following this, 70 participants will be chosen for a five-day technical agriculture course at MardiCorp. The technical course will concentrate on food crop production, dairy cattle management, beekeeping, oyster mushroom cultivation, freshwater fish farming, and frozen food processing technology.
Prabakaran explained that the 70 selected participants will be eligible for Agricultural Development Grants of up to RM30,000, and MardiCorp will monitor them for six months. Priority will be given to B40 individuals aged 18 and above, with a valid business licence or registration, and who possess suitable land or space for agricultural activities.
As for the Young Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, it offers a 10-month agricultural training course, and 30 successful participants will receive a Malaysian Skills Certificate (Level 3).
Applications for MITAP 2024/2025 can be submitted via Google Forms, and they are open for one month, from Monday (Jan 13) until Feb 13 – Bernama
