Sabah hosts Borneo's first Mardi incubator
Published on: Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) is set to produce more technology-based agropreneurs with the launching of the Kota Kinabalu Mardi Technology Incubator, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.He said the facility offers services like technical guidance, physical infrastructure, pilot factory and consultation."I was made to understand that the Mardi Technology Incubator, previously, was only set up in three states – Kedah, Melaka and Terengganu," he said during the Sabah Mardi Day celebration, at the institution's building, Monday.ADVERTISEMENT "We are lucky as the Mardi Technology Incubator launched today (Monday) is not only the first in Sabah but also in Borneo."His speech was read by Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Dr Daud Yusof.The incubator, Shafie said, will focus on downstream fish-based product processing technology.The facility is equipped with the latest commercial-scale machines and equipment where incubatees comprising existing entrepreneurs will undergo training sessions for three to six months.ADVERTISEMENT It was established with an aim to produce successful incubatees in terms of their competitiveness and to boost their technical capability to progress.The Mardi Technology Incubator programme was first introduced in 2009 as part of the 8th Malaysia Plan.
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Mardi Director-General Datuk Dr Mohamad Roff Mohd Noor said the institution was aware of the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs who wanted to venture into agro-based businesses due to the lack of knowledge, experience and funding."As such, Mardi has introduced the test bed and incubator programmes. To date, Mardi has five technology incubators in the country – Alor Setar, Kedah (paddy-based products), Sintok, Kedah (fruit-based confections), Kuala Linggi, Melaka (oil essence), Besut, Terengganu (vitato products), and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (fish-based products)."Under the programme, Mardi has helped and produced 170 entrepreneurs," he said.He added that Sabah Mardi has the potential to produce successful entrepreneurs with the assistance of the technology incubator.Meanwhile, during the same event, the closing ceremony for the Sabah Zone Young Agropreneurs Agora programme was also held. "To date, the programme has produced more than 290 agropreneurs in Sabah and we are aiming to produce 500 such entrepreneurs with a monthly income of between RM1,500 and RM5,000."He also hoped the programme can encourage more youths to be more creative and innovative to develop agriculture into businesses.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Daud also presented a total of RM80,000 in kind contribution (IKC) grants to five recipients under the Young Agropreneur Development Programme during the event.Also present was Sabah Mardi Director Helda Souki. - Ricardo Unto