153 / 258
[
] 151
An SOP was developed by the project team for each project
activity. Assistance was given to the participants in terms of
materials and equipment to enable the project to be imple-
mented. No cash was given, to prevent the abuse and misuse
of funds. Each project activity was assisted in stages and
the participants were given appropriate technical training
before implementing them. To ensure that the activities were
smoothly implemented, continuous assistance and advisory
services were given to the participants.
All participants were given technical and hands-on training
before each economic activity was implemented. Training was
performed in groups in community halls close to the project
vicinity so as to facilitate full attendance from the participants.
Each training session was also attended by all family members,
including wife, husband and children since each project activity
needed participation and support from every family member.
For each training session the local leaders such as the
village head or members of parliament were involved during
the opening ceremony and presentation of certificates of
attendance. This is a measure to inform local leaders about
the implementation of the project activities. Local leaders
are also requested to deliver motivational speeches to inject
greater enthusiasm among the participants.
The performance of each project activity was monitored
weekly in terms of the progress and income earned by
members of the project team. The implementing officer made
sure that the participants were given assistance and advisory
services, and the economic activity produced results in the
shortest possible time in accordance with the SOP. Monitoring
of the project activities is done regularly to ensure the project
runs smoothly so that it can survive and continue to provide
additional income to the participants.
The participants start to earn revenue and income one
month after the project’s implementation. Revenue and earn-
ings can be obtained immediately due to the different concepts
and approaches undertaken by MARDI as follows:
• The project activities were selected by the participants.
Therefore, they are responsible to ensure the success of
the project.
• Members of the project team developed the SOP for
project implementation.
• Expenses for construction of infrastructure were limited
to 20 per cent of the allocation given and 80 per cent
of the allocation is used for purchasing raw materials
such as advanced planting materials and matured brood
stock. This concept enables the participants to earn
revenues quickly.
The income of the participants stabilized after six months
of project implementation. Participants who are produc-
tive, diligent and always work hard get results faster. The
main factor that contributes to the success of the project
depends on the ability of the participants to work hard based
on the choice of a suitable project in accordance with their
skills. Successful project activities are those that are easily
managed such as selling food at kiosks or stalls, fishing, food
processing, crop production and cleaning services. Livestock
projects such as rearing chickens, ducks and fish are very
difficult to sustain because the participants are not able to
retain the capital funds since the costs of brood stocks and
feed are high, selling prices are uncertain and there is also
the risk of diseases.
After two years of implementation, participants who chose
simple projects such as food processing and small businesses
(kiosks/food stalls) had increased their income to micro-
entrepreneur level with earnings of more than RM2,000 per
month, some even earning RM5,000 a month. Approximately
20 per cent of participants achieved this level. Participants
who chose projects according to their own skills such as
simple crop production (mushrooms and fertigation), fishing
and farm cleaning services increased their earnings between
RM1,000 and RM2,000 per month. These types of project
A list of simple materials and equipment given to various project activities
Source: MARDI
No.
Project activity
Materials and equipment
1.
Chicken rearing
Chicken shed building materials, fences, 1-2 month-old baby chicks, chicken feed, feeding containers, medication
2.
Duck rearing
Duck shed building materials, fences, 2-3 month-old ducklings, duck feed, feeding containers, medication
3.
Fish rearing
Canvas/cement tank, fences for the tank, 1-2 month-old brood stock, fish feed, medication
4.
Mushroom growing
Shed building materials, shelves, matured mushroom blocks, simple tools, chemicals, pesticides
5.
Fertigation
Irrigation systems, pumps, tanks, meters, cocopeat, seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, electrical connections
6.
Food processing
Equipment/machinery, electrical and water supplies, raw materials, processing workshop
7.
Business/services
Kiosk, three-wheeler motorbikes, ice boxes, chairs/tables, canopy/umbrellas
8.
Fishing activities
Boat, engines for boats, various types of nets
9.
Farm cleaning services
Lawn mower/bush-cutter, power sprayer, knapsack sprayer, water pump
D
eep
R
oots