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UMT to produce agropreneurs through knowledge transfer programmes

UMT to produce agropreneurs through knowledge transfer programmes

Sunday, 20/02/2022

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Batu Pahat, 17 Februari 2022 – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is intent on helping to improve the economy of low-income people and graduates interested in venturing into agriculture.

The university is conducting several knowledge transfer projects to achieve its agenda, where a group of UMT researchers will be sharing their expertise with the target groups, followed by hands-on training.

The researchers have planned several projects for the community of Parit Sulong, Johor, as part of the initiatives to help them increase their incomes, said UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar.

“UMT has been helping with the community’s capacity development through knowledge transfer and assimilation programmes and through technology created by UMT researchers using the university’s internal fund known as UMT Translational Research Grant Scheme.

“This grant enables the researchers to help improve the socio-economic status of the communities and allows for continuous collaborations between the university and the communities.

“This time, UMT is conducting translational projects on stingless bee farming, giant freshwater prawn farming, and vegetable farming.”

The projects received support from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, who officiated the projects’ launching today in conjunction with the officiating of two special programmes, Program Tautan Mesra Komuniti Parit Sulong and Karnival Kementerian Tinggi#KeluargaMalaysia.

Prof. Mazlan also said that several other programmes will be implemented, such as Giant Freshwater Prawn and Vegetable Farming Project, which will integrate the farming of the prawn or fish and vegetables.  

“This project, which will allow for more sustainable farming system that may last up to five years, will help the community improve their quality of life,” he said.

“This interesting project, which is based on the concept of a production of both fish or prawns and vegetables, will require only low capital and can be conducted in an open space.

“I believe that such project will provide good returns and help improve the economic status of Parit Sulong community.”

He hopes that these conducted projects will be able to produce highly skilled entrepreneurs that are competitive and sustainable in the local agro-tourism sector.   

Meanwhile, UMT has managed to produce several entrepreneurs from among university graduates through the project Kelulutpreneur.  

“UMT has produced a total of 30 graduate entrepreneurs from various academic background, and they have set up companies that are involved in stingless bee farming,” Professor Mazlan said.  

“UMT Kelulutpreneur participants were exposed to the comprehensive stingless bee farming training module, starting from the beginning until honey-based products were produced. They were also taught how to market the products using online mediums to ensure that they would be successful in their career as stingless bee entrepreneurs.”

Earlier, UMT Kelulutpreneur Programme, which was funded by UMT/KPT translational fund, was successfully conducted with the target group of single mothers at Kg Tempinis, Besut; community of farmers at Bukit Kor, Marang; B40 group at Kg Gemuruh, Kuala Nerus; and community of fishermen at Kg Pengkalan Gelap, Setiu.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu