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KENINGAU: The Farmers’ Association Board (LPP) is committed to helping farmers through matching grants for owners of small and medium machinery throughout the 12 Malaysia Plan period.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said that in 2023, the Board of Farmers’ Organisations helped 17 Regional Farmers’ Organisations (PPK) throughout Sabah to have small and medium machineries with a total allocation of RM500,000.

“For the Fourth Rolling Plan (RP4) of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, the LPP has approved an allocation of RM1 million to fund applications from 20 PPKs in Sabah.

He further commented that the use of mechanisation technology and machinery in the agricultural sector is able to increase the productivity of produce production and reduce dependence on labour, thus ensuring that the country’s food production is not affected.

“Through the Small and Medium Machinery Ownership Programme with Matching Grants, LPP offers financing for the purchase of machinery with a ratio of 70:30, which is 70 percent of the value of the machinery or equipment that will be financed by the Farmers’ Association (LPP) while the remaining 30 percent is under the responsibility of the applicant with a limit purchase of machinery or equipment for up to RM20 thousand,” he said in a statement. 

In the meantime, Arthur also called on farmers to take the opportunity and apply at the Farmers’ Organisation office according to their respective fields of endeavour. In general, among the machines that can be applied are mini harvesters, 2-wheeled tractors, ploughers and suitable small agricultural equipment.

He, who is also the Pensiangan MP, said this while speaking at the Farmers’ Leaders Council in Kampung Panagatan Ulu, which was attended by about 120 farmers, including rice farmers from around Keningau.

At the ceremony, Arthur also approved the purchase of small machinery and services through a grant programme to PPK Keningau with a value of machinery and equipment amounting to RM39,000.

Also present were the Deputy Director General (Development) of LPP, Amir Matamin, Director of LPP Sabah, Hadriyani Ahmad and AJP Chairman of the Keningau Farmers’ Association, Alexius@Sius Paulus.