KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan state government has announced an allocation of RM6.79 million to enhance the agriculture sector in 2025, focusing on key initiatives such as positioning the state as the “Jelapang Makanan Negara” and improving the Al-Falah agricultural initiative. This strategic investment aims to bolster Kelantan’s reputation for producing high-quality agricultural products.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the allocation will also support the establishment of significant infrastructure projects, including the Darulnaim rice mill and a livestock feed mill, alongside the expansion of the Lojing Collection, Processing, and Packaging Centre (Lojing CPPC) to commercialize the Rong Chenok Agro Valley in Pasir Mas. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to increase exports and develop the food industry within the state.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin emphasized the importance of innovation and value addition in agriculture to expand market reach for local produce such as rice, durians, and organic products. This, he asserted, would positively impact the state’s economy. His comments were made during a New Year’s message at the 2025 civil servants assembly.
Additionally, Mohd Nassuruddin highlighted the state’s commitment to improving the water supply by replacing 898.08 kilometers of old pipes out of a total of 3,613 kilometers, with the aim of reducing non-revenue water (NRW). He instructed Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) to adhere to the implementation schedule and upgrade existing treatment plants to enhance water supply efficiency and quality.
In financial developments, the Kelantan government reported a budget surplus of RM10.92 million by the end of 2024, a significant reduction from an initial deficit of RM178.49 million. This financial turnaround underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable fiscal management and strong federal relations.
Mohd Nassuruddin also noted a rise in Kelantan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2023, reaching RM27.6 billion. To boost investment competitiveness, the state plans to extend the Kelantan Special Incentive Package for 2025, offering a 100 percent income tax exemption for 15 years and a special rate of 17 percent for five years.
Furthermore, he announced an extension of the 90 percent discount on overdue land tax penalties, which was initially set to end on December 30, 2024, now extended to March 31, 2025.