KUCHING: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives is looking to participate in the state’s agricultural development.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the initiative would enhance the nation’s food security through increased agricultural production involving entrepreneurs.
“I have discussed with the state government through Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to involve my ministry in the agricultural development of Sarawak.
“A more thorough discussion will be held within the next two weeks between my ministry and Uggah who is also Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land, and Regional Development, to discuss on agricultural entrepreneurship,” he said in a press conference after handing over Tekun’s Covid Business Recovery Micro (CBRM) and Cooperatives Aid Scheme from Malaysia Cooperatives Commission at Bank Rakyat Simpang Tiga branch on Saturday.
He explained that the entrepreneurs, within the context of the federal government, included university graduates and unemployed youths who were looking to be involved in the agricultural industry.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said directives had also been given by the chief minister to develop and assist cooperatives in Sarawak.
“We will implement some changes to cooperatives. However, researches are still currently being made.
“The cooperatives will not only provide financial loans to its members, but also to be involved with many other industries for more growth potentials.
“There are no growth potentials when financial loans are only given to the members. And it would also be unable to assist in the development of industries that should be prioritised in the state and country as a whole.
“With the transformation that will be implemented alongside the target set by the state government, we will be able to achieve greater growth for cooperatives in the state,” he said.
