MIRI: A total of 3,455 Malaysian Oil Palm Growers Cooperative (KPSM) members in Sarawak benefitted from various government initiatives last year.
Malaysian Cooperatives Commission (SKM) state director Basuini Ali said various assistance and initiatives were channelled to oil palm plantation farmers through the 18 KPSMs from Sarawak.
“SKM will support not only in supervision but also providing assistance such as funding through the Tabung Modal Pusingan, service advisor, guidance and training from government agencies.
“It also improves income, further enhance cohesion and consensus among the community.”
Basuini said this when officiating at the Economic Activity Empowerment Programme for KPSM Northern Zone, Sarawak on Friday (Jan 28).
“Not only focusing on the selling and buying of fresh fruit bunches but beyond the broader scope of KPSM through initiatives that will be implemented under the consortium in the future with the support of Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and SKM.”
He mentioned the initiatives that had been planned such as a cooperative-owned oil palm processing plant, packaging plant, fertiliser, rental machines and machinery and others.
“This is also expected to open up job opportunities particularly among the youths, and this is important especially for those from rural areas.
“With this, it can also lower the migration of youths to cities to look for jobs.”
Basuini hoped that more would register themselves as KPSM members to help improve their socioeconomic status.
Also present were MPOB smallholder empowerment unit head Norkapsi Khasim, SKM Sarawak deputy director Liew Liuk Chim, SKM Sarawak chief assistant director Kamri Mustapha, SKM Miri Division senior assistant director Lily Fawziah Adnan and others.
