Deep Roots

[

] 150

Gajah, Melaka and Jempol, Negeri Sembilan. A total of 200

participants were selected for the project: 100 from the

hardcore poor in Batu Pahat, 50 from the poor category

in Alor Gajah and 50 in the vulnerable to poverty group

in Jempol. The provision for each participant (family) is

different, such that RM10,000 (100 per cent support) is

given to the hardcore poor (Batu Pahat), RM8,000 (80

per cent support) to the poor (Alor Gajah) and RM5,000

(50 per cent support) to the vulnerable to poverty group

(Jempol). Participants were selected from a list given by

the various State Development Offices in October 2009.

Allocations of RM2.05 million were given in November

2009 and the project started in December that year.

In 2010 MARDI was given four new parliamentary constit-

uencies with 335 families involved in the project; 70 per cent

of the participants are hardcore poor and 30 per cent from

the poor category. A budget of about RM6.35 million was

available and each participating family was given RM10,000

assistance to start the project.

In implementing the project various innovations were

carried out, especially in aspects of the selection of project

activities, financial assistance, development of a standard

operating procedure (SOP), technical training and moti-

vation. Continuous project monitoring is an important

element in the implementation which is supported by the

efficient work culture practiced by the staff in the institute.

A working group was formed to implement and monitor the

performance of the project.

To implement the project, participants were given the

choice to determine their own project activities based on

their interests, experiences, abilities and capabilities. This

is very important to determine the success of the project.

The scope of the project activities must be agro-based which

includes field crops, livestock, food processing and services

in the field of food and agriculture. The project activities

proposed by the participants are evaluated and only activi-

ties that can generate revenue quickly, and are viable and

sustainable, are recommended.

In general, the types of projects proposed by the partici-

pants are closely related to the daily activities of the village

communities which involve the production of livestock and

fisheries (chickens, ducks, catfish, tilapia, snakehead and

climbing perch), crop production (vegetables, bananas,

sugar cane, mushrooms), food processing (traditional cakes,

frozen and fried products), small businesses such as kiosks

and stalls selling food and beverages (sugarcane juice, soy

products, cold drinks and fruit slices), and mobile stalls

using three-wheelers selling fish, vegetables, food and drink.

Assistance is also given to activities involving fishing and

cleaning services for farms and paddy fields.

A chest freezer was given to this participant for selling food products

Image: MARDI

eep

oots