PADANG TERAP, August 21 - A total of RM3.4 million has been allocated through the Agrofood Programme, Additional Economic Activities (AET), by the Rubber Industry Smallholder Development Authority (RISDA) in Kedah this year.

Out of that amount, a total of RM1.18 million have been channelled to 111 entrepreneurs.

Kedah RISDA Director, Abdul Aziz Awang said the Agrofood Programme is one of RISDA’s initiatives to help smallholders to enhance the production and income through agriculture, in addition to rubber sources.

This RISDA Agrofood Programme is in line with the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (DAN 2.0) and the National Food Security Policy 2021-2025.

It aims to reduce complete dependence on income from rubber sources by focusing on the agrofood in order to be more effective in improving the standard of living of smallholders.

Apart from that, it is to encourage smallholders to explore new sources to increase income.

He said that until now a total of 1,804 RISDA entrepreneurs under the AET programme have achieved an average income of up to RM3,541 per month and are approaching the target of RM4,500 per month in 2025.

“So, we still have the remaining allocation and there are also applications that we have passed and there are still some more balances. It is hoped that all smallholders throughout Kedah who are qualified or who still do not understand the process to directly go to the nearest RISDA stations to get information.

"If eligible... immediately submit an application for the sake of socioeconomic improvement of smallholders who are outside the city", he told RTM after officiating the Pemprosesan Pallet Makanan Ternakan Kampung Kubang Kenyeng Agrofood project in Padang Terap, Kedah.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs who were met described the assistance channeled by RISDA as helping to increase their businesses and income.

"Thank you RISDA for helping us to generate more income. In this Padang Terap area, there is a lot of demand...in the beginning we are just like a wholesaler, we also have livestock. From there, we started to study the process of making wheat bran for cattle", said Adam Wong, the entrepreneur for Projek Pallet Makanan Ternakan.

"RISDA helped with the packaging machine and until now I get it, halal (certification)... in the process. After the help from RISDA, from below RM3,000, now alhamdulillah (my income) reaches between RM3,000 to RM5,000 a month", said Pekasam Entrepreneur, Zakiah Samsuri.