Entrepreneurship Development in Malaysia Essay Example

population involved in agriculture has been one of the main strategic thrusts since independence.

Programmes involving:

• Human development.
• Technical advisory services.
• Training of peoples to become Agropreneur, and.

Financial aids. One of the most important mechanisms is through the extension and technical advisory services of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and supported by other related agencies including Malaysian Agricultural Research Institute (MARDI), Farmers Development Board, Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA).

While in the earlier decades, the approach had been to change the traditional farmers' attitude into adopting better farming practices and increasing yield, it was only in the nineties that the business elements began to be included in a more prominent manner through the project impacted extension programmes. Downstream product processing activities had been given greater emphasis giving rise to the development of micro-enterprises involved in the production and marketing of traditional foods and crafts.

However, the majority of these entrepreneurs earn below RM 250,000. 00 per year and only a handful progressed into the RM250,000. 00 – RM 10 million category of small enterprises. The Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) also saw higher allocation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry for agropreneur development with more focused programmes implemented by its agencies. These include improving the knowledge of the entrepreneurs, application of technology, utilization of local raw materials, improving the supply chain management as well as packaging and labeling.

A cluster concept of development will also be implemented whereby an anchor company will act as the catalyst to create business opportunities for other entrepreneurs. This will cover every aspect of the business ranging from raw material production,

processing, packaging and transportation. The company identified will provide the marketing and distribution outlets for the participating producers. In addition, these entrepreneurs also have access to various training facilities such as the Entrepreneur Training Centers, the Incubators and the Apprentice Centers of DOA.

Besides knowledge and technical knowhow, the availability and management of financial resources is another critical factor in an agribusiness. For those involved in crop cultivation for example, sufficient fund is necessary to sustain the business during the initial non-productive period as well as the overall operating cost. An entrepreneur is expected to generate his capital either from his own saving, through shareholder's contributions or loans from financial institutions. An important source of fund for the agropreneurs is Bank Pertanian Malaysia.

The bank provides various types of loans, such as the Fund for Food (3F), Food Production Credit Scheme and the Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme targeted for the downstream and product processing business. For those involved in nonfood products, such as ornamental fish breeding, floriculture and herbal preparations, a scheme called the Non-Food Agriculture Development Scheme is available. In an effort to encourage the younger generation especially those with degrees to venture into agribusiness, the bank has established a special scheme to fund commercial agriculture projects by graduate agropreneurs.

Incentives and grants are also provided by some states to support their commercial agriculture and agropreneur development. Similar incentives are also available from the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development and Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC). It is envisaged that with the successful implementation of the programmes under the 9MP, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro based Industry aims to develop

10,000 agro based enterprises by 2010. This is expected to give added value to agricultural products, create new avenues for growth and improve incomes of those involved in agriculture.