KIULU: State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar wants the eligibility requirements for the Budi Diesel programme reviewed to allow more young operators in the agriculture, livestock and food sectors to benefit from the programme.
He said one of the main issues raised by these operators is that they do not qualify for the diesel subsidy because the vehicles they use for farming are not registered under their names.
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He said this happens because some operators, particularly those in rural areas, obtain their vehicles through hire purchase or financing offered by companies rather than banking institutions.
“We are aware that only those who hold vehicle ownership and a valid licence can claim Budi Diesel. But at the grassroots level, many young operators buy their vehicles through hire purchase or company loans.
“There are also farmers who do not have bank accounts but can pay the monthly instalments for their vehicles used for farming,” he told reporters after the Jelajah Kebun Dapur, here.
Jamawi said some operators obtain financing based on proceeds from commodity sales such as rubber, but the vehicle remains registered under the financing company’s name and has yet to be transferred to the actual user.
“This is among the concerns raised by young people. We have encouraged them to get involved in the agriculture sector, in paddy planting, rubber tapping and various other activities. When they do not qualify to receive Budi Diesel, it discourages them to some degree from continuing in this sector,” he said.
He said he will hold a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to discuss the matter and to relay feedback from operators in Sabah.
“I will also bring in all State and Federal agriculture agencies for a dialogue and to bring this issue to the Government so that the efforts of young people in the agriculture sector can continue to be supported and strengthened,” he said.
Jamawi also said his Ministry is studying a proposal to introduce the Kebun Dapur concept in schools to raise awareness of food security among pupils.
He said his Ministry has held discussions with the State Education Department following a request for a Kebun Sekolah concept to be established based on the Kebun Dapur approach.
“We want children to understand the importance of food and food security from primary school age. Through this initiative, they will not only appreciate the crops around them but the produce can also be used by the school,” he said.
He said the proposal received positive feedback from Parent-Teacher Associations and schools and will be carried out in stages according to available allocation.
On the Kebun Dapur Programme, Jamawi said the response has been encouraging, with more than 3,000 small operators having cultivated gardens around their homes in the first six months of this year.
He said the figure is close to the programme’s five-year target of 5,000 participants.
“I see them so enthusiastic that they share the produce from their own Kebun Dapur on social media. I therefore intend to introduce a Best Kebun Dapur Award to recognise their efforts and inspire more members of the public to join this programme,” he said.
He said the award may be introduced during the State-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen’s Day, scheduled for Tenom this September.
Jamawi said the Jelajah Kebun Dapur will be expanded across Sabah as a platform to deliver information on assistance, incentives and agricultural development programmes to the public.
He said the programme is not only aimed at encouraging a culture of home gardening but also at ensuring information on various government assistance reaches the target groups directly.
“The Ministry and its departments provide many assistance programmes, but sometimes the information does not reach the people. That is why this tour is important, so that every farmer, livestock breeder and fisherman knows the opportunities provided by the Government,” he said.
