IPOH: The Perak state Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC) has contributed a total of RM55.33mil last year to the state government, and programmes aimed at helping Perakians, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said the contribution allocated for the benefit of the state government, and the people was based on the excellence achievement of Perak SADC through its financial performance which recorded an income of RM794.8mil throughout last year.
Saarani, who is also Perak SADC’s chairman, said the aid covered the segments of the annual returns to the state government, various aid to the poor, and several entrepreneur development programmes.
"Perak SADC’s contribution of a huge chunk of the aid of RM20mil towards the state government is very meaningful, as this helped in implementing various development programmes that can continuously benefit the well-being of the people.
"In addition, the donations amounting to RM18.8mil channelled by SADC involved towards the people, which include aid to 7,123 recipients aimed at helping them reduce the rising cost of living via financial assistance.
"As for community based programmes, a total of RM11.76mil had been allocated for among other urban farming, tuisyen Cikgu Saarani, aid to schools, universities, and for scholarship events," he told a press conference here on Tuesday (March 19).
Earlier, he had witnessed the presentation of aid by SADC to several individuals and state agencies.
He had also launched SADC’s Aidilfitri Rahmah pre-order of subsidised chicken, beef and eggs, and the gimmick launch of the Perak Agrotourism Carnival 2024 to be held in May.
Saarani said to boost the economic development of the state, especially in the field of agriculture, a total of RM4.77mil allocation have been channelled, benefiting 1,129 entrepreneurs last year.
He said SADC was confident that through the implementation of such assistance, they were able to produce and develop entrepreneurs who were able to compete at a higher level.
"In addition, this assistance programme also not only opens up space and opportunities for existing entrepreneurs to further expand their enterprises, but also helps the poor to run agricultural enterprises through provision of grants," he added.