TAWAU: The ‘My Kampung My Future’ programme, implemented under the National Blue Ocean Strategy to encourage high-value economic development in villages, was launched at Kampung Merotai Besar near here on Friday.
It was launched by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.
Kampung Merotai Besar was selected as the pilot project for the programme by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry based on several criteria, including infrastructure , location, arable land and traditional values.
The programme was implemented with the cooperation of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Higher Education Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Health Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry and the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS).
Besides Kampung Merotai Besar, two other villages, Kampung Gedung, Simunjan in Sarawak, and Mukim Pulau Tiga, Daerah Kampung Gajah, Perak, were also selected for the programme.
Noh, when launching the programme, said it was carried out to encourage youths to remain in their villages and contribute towards their development.
“Realising the importance of youth development, the government has introduced the My Kampung My Future programme with the objective of producing more youths with leadership qualities and earning high income by venturing in agro-business activities in their villages, which have been modernised,” he added.
He said the programme was also carried out to address the issue on the country’s food supply.
At the function, Noh announced an allocation of RM1 million for implementation of high-value economic activities, as well as social, sports and cultural programmes, aimed at achieving the objective of the My Kampung My Future programme.
He also presented incentive, aid and loan, totalling RM4.3 million, to agro-entrepreneurs in the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency. – Bernama