Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu advised small-scale farmers illegally operating lands owned by the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (PPPNP) to come forward and be legalised.
He said that around 1165.02 hectares of cultivated land were legalised in 2019 and thus, existing farmers no longer needed to fret about their agricultural activities.
“This year, 2028.104 hectares have been alienated,” Faizal told reporters in a media session yesterday on June 30 at the PPPNP office.
“The total was slightly affected due to the Movement Control Order (MCO),” he remarked.
“Exploiters who have not come forward should report to the PPPNP as soon as possible,” he noted. “When their activities are legalised, income will be generated not only for them, but also for the state and PPPNP.
“The government does not mean to take away cultivated lands. The lands will still be offered but with a proper lease,” Faizal reminded. “Tax incomes will be reused for future services to citizens.”
He also mentioned that a total of 3494.7 hectares of cultivated land are yet to be legalised, which covers the towns of Kampar and Tapah.
“The government imposes RM1,500 annually for renting of lands involved, while it’s RM2,000 annually for shrimp farmers,” Faizal remarked. “The amount is reasonable and should not be a burden to farmers, whose income solely depends on crop produce.”
Meanwhile, Faizal presented cheque replicas to entrepreneurs, farmers, wholesalers and animal breeders in conjunction with Perak Agrofarm Entrepreneur Project (PPAP).
Also present was PPPNP chief executive officer, Yahanis Yahya.
PPAP is an entrepreneurship programme based on the mentor and mentee concept under the interest-free loan scheme of PPPNP. Some executed projects include the MD2 pineapple plantation and kampong chicken livestock.
Rosli Mansor
