KENINGAU: The Farmers’ Association Board (LPP) is committed to help farmers through matching grants for owners of small and medium machinery under the 12th Twelfth Malaysia Plan.
Federal Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said that in 2023, the Board of Farmers’ Organisations has helped 17 Regional Farmers’ Organisations (PPK) throughout Sabah to have small and medium machineries with a total allocation of RM500,000.
“For the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the 12th Malaysia Plan, LPP has approved an allocation of RM1 million to fund applications from 20 PPKs in Sabah.
He further commented that the use of mechanisation technology and machinery in the agricultural sector is able to increase the productivity of produce production and reduce dependence on labour, thus ensuring that the country’s food production is not affected.
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In the meantime, Arthur also called on farmers to take the opportunity and apply at the Farmers’ Organisation office according to their respective fields of endeavour. In general, among the machines that can be applied for are mini harvesters, two-wheeled tractors, ploughers and suitable small agricultural equipment.
Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP, said this while speaking at the Farmers’ Leaders Council in Kampung Panagatan Ulu which was attended by about 120 farmers, including rice farmers from around Keningau.
At the ceremony, Arthur also approved the purchase of small machinery and services through a grant programme to PPK Keningau with a value of machinery and equipment amounting to RM39,000.
Also present was the Deputy Director General (Development) of LPP, Amir Matamin, Director of LPP Sabah, Hadriyani Ahmad and AJP Chairman of the Keningau Farmers’ Association, Alexius @ Sius Paulus.
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