KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (MAHA) 2018 exhibition will be a platform to lift and recognise the contributions of women in the agriculture and agro-based industries.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said MAHA 2018 will be a place to share the success stories of women in the agriculture and agro-based industries.
"We have decided that MAHA 2018, the largest event on the agriculture industry, will recognise the contributions and success of women entrepreneurs in agriculture and agro-based industries.
"In fact, we have decided to use ‘Segalanya Wanita’ (All About Women) as the tagline to promote and raise awareness of women’s involvement in this industry," he said in reply to a question by Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (BN-Sabak Bernam).
Fasiah had asked on the ministry’s move to help women to succeed in agriculture, to promote agriculture as a career and women’s entrepreneurship programmes offered in agriculture.
Responding to an additional question from Fasiah, Shabery said 50 per cent of the National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun) will be allocated for female entrepreneurs.
"Under the Agrobank programme, we have allocated 95 per cent of the loans under the Agrotrust programme to women entrepreneurs. This include ensuring 50 per cent of the agropreneurs are women."
*Report by Farhana Syed Nokman, Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, Mohd Anwar Patho Rohman, Idris Musa, Rizanizam Abdul Hamid and Lukman Arif Abdul Karim