Kuala pilah: A total of 144,894 smallholders under the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) have been approved to receive the BUDI Agrikomoditi assistance as of July 15. This marks the highest number of approved recipients under the ministry to date.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad highlighted that despite the significant number of approvals, many eligible smallholders have yet to register or remain unfamiliar with the application process. She urged attendees at the Salam Agrikomoditi MADANI programme to engage with ministry officials to seek information and clarify any doubts regarding their eligibility and application procedures.

The programme, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at Dataran Melang, aims to bridge the gap between the ministry and local communities by providing crucial information on financial assistance, technical services, and career opportunities in the agri-commodity sector. Noraini emphasized the importance of utilizing this platform to improve the income and livelihood of smallholders and their families.

Noraini also announced plans to expand public outreach through various initiatives, allowing the ministry to offer direct engagement opportunities for the public to access information on assistance schemes and industry prospects. The 'Salam Agrikomoditi' programme is set to extend nationwide, enhancing grassroots engagement and addressing community needs more effectively.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid expressed optimism about the programme's potential impact on the local community and the development of Kuala Pilah's agri-commodity sector. He affirmed the government's commitment to supporting Kuala Pilah in becoming a leading district in Negeri Sembilan and across the country.