State govts could provide lands for NCER income creation projects, says Rafizi

IPOH: State governments are welcome to offer more lands for the North Corridor Economic Region’s (NCER) People’s Income Initiative-Agro Entrepreneur Initiative (IPR-Intan) project, says Rafizi Ramli.

The Economy Minister said the project would help the B40 community get out of poverty.

“While there are Federal Government-owned lands, more are under the state jurisdiction.

“That is why we are borrowing the lands for about five years and using it for the IPR-Intan project based on mutual agreement,” he told reporters after launching the NCER Farming Entrepreneur Initiative under the People’s Income Initiative at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta here on Tuesday (Dec 12).

He said the project is also being conducted on land owned by the Federal Government.

“While these lands are marked for other projects, it may take years before (construction) starts, sometimes maybe after 10 years.

“So we will make a request to the related ministries to allow us to do the IPR-Intan project for at least five years,” he said, adding that the project would help combat poverty and address food security.

Rafizi said the participants of IPR-Intan and Insan are expected to get out of poverty in two years.

The Pandan MP said participants of Insan could find other business models such as opening a stall after generating an income of at least RM2,000 per month.

He said to date, there are five IPR-Intan farms in the country: two in Hulu Kinta, two in Chuping, Perlis and one in Bukit Tangga, Kedah.

“These farms are expected to produce more than 2,100 metric tonnes of fresh crops like chili, sweetcorn and eggplant, with an expected value market of RM29mil.

“The type of crops selected are based on their harvesting cycle and demand.

“We also ensured that the products has an ‘off-taker’ to avoid participants bearing the risk of loss and having to reduce prices,” he said, adding that the project in Perak would generate more than 170 job opportunities.

Also present was Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Saarani said the state government welcomed the initiative by the ministry.

“The effort coincides with Perak’s goal to strengthen food security.

“We will be offering land owned by the State Agricultural Development Cooperation for the project,” he added.