GOAT FARMING PROJECT GENERATES INCOME
UUM ONLINE: The School of Economics, Finance and Banking (SEFB) Universiti Utara Malaysia is committed to producing successful goat entrepreneurs while also enhancing the university’s engagement with the local community.
A participant, Mr. Mohamad Anwar Rodzi expressed his gratitude for being selected to participate in the programme and serve as an entrepreneur mentor for UUM’s project. He believes that this opportunity will in turn increase his family’s income.
“UUM team visited my house at Kampung Damai, Kodiang to assess the area and determine the suitability of the goat pens.”
“Alhamdulillah, the assistance and support that we received are greatly appreciated. Each participant was provided with 30 goats and pens that were constructed in accordance with specific specifications. Our responsibilities encompass giving of proper care to the goats and ensuring the healthy growth of the goats,” he said.
Mr. Mohamad Anwar is among the five entrepreneurs who have been selected as pioneers for the Projek Kambing Rakyat (PROKar) under the Social Enterprise Development Programme of the Ministry of Finance, which was approved in the 2022 budget.
Other participants namely, Mr. Muhammad Fazrin Nasruddin, Mr. Ahmad Tajudin Abd Halim, Mr. Mohd Hussaini Mohamadi and Mr. Muhammad Alif Najmi Yaafar with another two other entrepreneurs will oversee the Napier grass cultivation project.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Project, Assoc. Prof. Dr Siti Hadijah Che Mat said that the project has been ongoing since October 2022 and will continue to do so until April 2024. The procedure comprises of several stages, such as identifying livestock farmers, conducting interviews and screenings applicants.
“The selection process for PROKar participants was meticulously carried out, and each candidate was subjected to screening as well as interviews. They were evaluated on the basis of their interests, experience, commitment, in addition to the asset possessions, both physical and mental that must be suitable for the effective implementation of the project.”
She added that this programme is not only focused on making a profit, but rather seeks to increase the number of successful local entrepreneurs in goat farming sector by multiplying the breeding stocks and providing training them.
In addition, entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the 18-month project period will provide healthy goat offspring and mother goats to other entrepreneurs. This will ensure the project’s sustainability and the creation of even more new entrepreneurs.
On the other hand, the Head of Programme, Prof. Dr Mukaramah Harun, stated that the Ministry of Finance has allocated RM 852,000 for the implementation of two high-impact social enterprise programmes, namely PROKar and an agricultural project for fertigation-based chilli cultivation, both of which are being carried out over the course of an 18-month period from 2022 to mid-2024.
“PROKar is overseen by the Institution of Higher Education in Malaysia. UUM is among the selected public institution of higher education to receive grant for the goat farming programme.
“If this project is successful, it will serve as a module and reference for future projects in other locations,” she said during the ceremony where the participants in PROKar signed the agreement documents at the SEFB main meeting room.
She called on the participants to give their utmost commitment in order to ensure the successful implementation and achievement of the objectives set by the ministry, particularly in increasing the income of rural communities, especially the community where they lived.
She also extended her congratulations to all of the participants who had been selected for this project and expressed her hope that they would carry out the project with dedication, trustworthiness and cooperation to ensure its success and that the goals would be achieved.
She expressed the hope that the support provided will help improve the socio-economic level of rural communities living near UUM and increase the income of rural households.