1. Introduction

1. AGROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN MALAYSIA AT THE CROSSROADSYUSOF AHMAD, HAMID SAAD and MOHD ZAKI BIN BAHRUDINDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning,Faculty of Built Environment,UniversitiTeknologiMalaysia,Johor Bahru.Email address: yusof2262@gmail.com

2. 1. Introduction Since the era of independent, the government have engaged many policies to boost rural development in this country. This paper will discover the effectiveness of Agropolitanprogramme to solve the poverty issues in rural area. This research aims to examine the effectiveness and challenges of this programmein term of tackling the rural poverty issues. Finally, the future of this programme is discussed.

3. 2. Agropolitan Development Programme • Agropolitan concept was developed as a new strategy of regional development practised in Malaysia and also in other developing countries. • This is because the concept of Growth Pole Theory (TeoriPertumbuhanPusat) practiced since the 1970s cannot be fully accessed and adopted by developing countries. • As a result, the gap between urban and rural became more serious due economic flows to the central area are much larger than the flow to the rural economy • Finally, the idea of ​​reducing the rural-urban difference was disrupted where urban areas were more benefiting as compared to rural areas. The worst effect was that more people were leaving the countryside for employment in urban areas.

4. John Friedmann & Mike Douglass 1975, developed a new approach which prefers basic needs approach and focus more on the development of rural areas through agricultural project concept. • The concept of the agricultural project is based on agricultural economy that grows and develops with the running of the system and the efforts of agribusiness that can serve and encourage agricultural business development activities (agribusiness) in the surrounding region (Yulistyo, 2008). • Agropolitan Development project was introduced in Malaysia in 2006 as a Quantum Leap Programme in eradicating rural poverty.

5. i. AGRIPOLITAN DISTRICT Boundary of Agropolitant District 1 hour travelling time 10-25k population Agricultural area Agropolitant Centre with 10 – 25,000 inhabitants Total population : 50 000 -159 000 majority involved in agriculture and farming

6. ii. IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIA • In Malaysia, Agropolitan Programs are implemented by two implementing agencies, namely the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) and Public Private Cooperation Unit (UKAS) under the Prime Minister Department

7. 3. Status Of AgropolitanProgramme By UKAS Source : ECERDC, 2013

8. 3. Status Of AgropolitanProgramme By KKLW Source : KKLW, 2013

9. STATE GOVERNMENT ECERDC INVESTOR 4. Agropolitan Development Approaches By UKAS IMPLEMENTING AGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY FINANCES AGROPOLITAN PARTICIPANTS PHYSICAL COMPONENTS - Housing Lot -Basic Infrastructure -Utilities -Business Center HUMAN DEVELOPMENT -Mental development Training -Skills Development -Entrepreneurship -Development FARMING / LIVESTOCK Employee Incentive Allowance and Working FAMILY PARTICIPANTS ACTIVITIES AT THE FARM Farm groups are managed by the agency Management / Co-participants and assisted by government agencies involved SUPPORTINGACTIVITIES Akuaponik, mushrooms, beef integration, agribusiness, and tourism herbs Figure 2: Agropolitan Chart by UKAS

10. The implementation is supported by the main growth centers of economic activity, a secondary economy and support activities that will support growth opportunities and increase income for the population. This project involves the direct involvement of government agencies, private sector, universities and NGOs such as

11. STATE GOVERNMENT KKLW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 4. Agropolitan Development Approaches By KKLW IMPLEMENTING AGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY FINANCES AGROPOLITAN PARTICIPANTS PHYSICAL COMPONENTS - Housing Lot -Basic Infrastructure -Utilities -Business Center HUMAN DEVELOPMENT -Mental development Training -Skills Development -Entrepreneurship -Development FARMING / LIVESTOCK Employee Incentive Allowance and Working FAMILY PARTICIPANTS ACTIVITIES AT THE FARM Farm groups are managed by the agency Management / Co-participants and assisted by government agencies involved SUPPORTINGACTIVITIES Akuaponik, mushrooms, beef integration, agribusiness, and tourism herbs Figure 3: Agropolitan Chart by KKLW

12. Physical Development includes the provision of settlement and infrastructure and social amenities such as homes, mosque, kindergarten / nursery, hall, playground, and business workshops, drains and drainage, roads in the settlement as well as water and electricity. • Human Capital Developmentthe emphasis is dedicated to household heads (KIR) on aspects of the leadership of the community, family, spiritual, self-reliance and entrepreneurship. While members of the household (AIR) are also involved in academic improvement through tuition and exam preparation.

13. Economic Development involves two main components: Prosperous Farm (Ladang Sejahtera) development involves major community planting of rubber and oil palm. Commercial Activities (LadangKomersil) farm are based on short-term crops, mainly aimed to support participants before gaining stable income from prosperous farm. Participants also have the opportunity to diversify its sources of income in manufacturing, packaging, marketing and business in premises or workshops available.

14. This project involves the direct involvement of others agencies such as: • LembagaPenyatuandanPemulihan Tanah Persekutuan (FELCRA Berhad) • MajlisAmanah Rakyat (MARA) • PihakBerkuasaKemajuanPekebun Kecil Perusahaan Getah (RISDA) • JabatanKemajuanMasyarakat (KEMAS) • JabatanKemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA) • InstitutKemajuanDesa (INFRA) • LembagaKemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH) • LembagaKemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) • LembagaKemajuan Johor Tenggara (KEJORA)

15. 6. Study Area and Analysis Table 1: List of Study Area

16. i. Study Area Figure 1: Location of Study Area

17. Images of Study Area KKLW PulauBanggi TanjungGahai

18. Images of Study Area UKAS GuaMusang

19. ii. Research Methodology • A field survey using questionnaires was carried out in April to June 2013 both at all 4 locations. • 100% (661 nos) survey were conducted on agropolitanparticipants (head of household) to explore their experiences before and after joining the projects. • The participants were all 20 years of age or older. • The achievement of economic, physical and human development transformation were the target to be examined.

20. iii. SAMPLING

21. iv. Analysis and Discussion • The Agropolitan project implemented by the ECER and KKLW, contributed to remarkable progress of the rural transformation. The participants’ statements, were classified into several categories namely socio-economic aspects, physical and human development. • From 661 questionnaire distributed, 78 participant gave no answer (11.8%)

22. Table 1.1 : Finding from UKAS AgropolitanProgramme

23. Table 1.2 : Finding from KKLW AgropolitanProgramme

24. 7. Research Findings • Economic transformation :This is most acknowledged responses bythe participant (UKAS : 59% and KKLW : 30%) • Related to economic change aspects areexistence of income enhancement, more working opportunities and profitable activities, income stability, and poverty reduction.

25. i. Economic progress Table above shows the participants economic improvement in a monthly basis income comparison before and after joining the agricultural project.

27. Significant income progress occurred in two income brackets; from RM 601-900 (increased by 25 percent), from RM 901 to 1200 (increased by 60 percent). • Whereas at income bracket of RM1201 to RM 1500 only increased by 3%. • Substantial changes also seen in the income category of RM 301-RM 600 which shows the disappearance of people with very low income. • The economic capability of participant in regard of income was boosted and as a larger impact, the hardcore poverty were eradicated.

28. ii. Transformation in Physical Environment Free land for cultivation, supply of pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural materials, free of seeds and planting more stable. Construction of new homes, there is a brick house, a bigger house and a beautiful and growing population that settled there. Availability of basic amenities like water and electricity and no roads, the situation has improved (UKAS : 10 % and KKLW : 25%)

29. iii. Transformation in Human Development • Involvement of government agencies in collaboration with universities such as UMK and UMT in Kelantan and Terengganu. • Increased cooperation and interaction among themselves, healthy competition, increased activities and improve their spirit. • Life become more comfortable, having better quality and more secured life, and look forward to better future • (UKAS : 19% and KKLW : 34%)

30. 8. The Challenges Of Agropolitan Implementation The challenges can be categorized according to pre, during and after project implementation as below:- • Unavailability of new land for this projects • Involves allocation of huge amount of cost to start and run the project • Unavailability of manpower from the implementing agency side • Unsuitability of soil condition • High infrastructure and development cost due to remoteness of location • Suitability of the identified projects are not in accordance with site conditions • Constraints in identifying the right participants. Hardcore poverty people are normally at the end of working age. • Lack of skill, knowledge and ageing of participants

31. 9. Dependency on foreign worker instead of participants 10. Difficulty in determining the right number of target participants 11. Weak project management because it involves long bureaucracy between inter and intra government agencies 12. Difficulty in adapting the original concept due to physical factors 13. Existing projects still rely on government intervention and agencies 14. Participants are too dependent on government and implementing agency input. Top–down instead of bottom-up 15. Question of self-sustain of the project. How long can the implementing agencies hold on with the project. • Who are best to manage the project after it has been implemented • Are we willing to spend so much for very few people? • Project stuck halfway

32. 9. The Proposals To Improving AgropolitanProgramme This includes the identification of the : • Project location, • Planning of project area, • Project implementation, and • Project management. A new mechanism has been proposed as an effort to improve the program so that its effectiveness can be enhanced. AVOID SPENDING BEFORE FULL PROJECT APPRAISAL AND SOSIO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ARE APPROVED

33. Identification of Project location Vacant government land is scarce nowadays. In situ development is the most probable as compared to new development. Traditional villages with vast unutilized land privately owned should be the main focus • The authorities and the main implementing agency should conduct feasibility study to identify the areas that are most suitable site for development, which previously only focused on the identification of areas of government or Malay reserve area only. Now identification must also consider the strategy of the location in order to gain profit as has been projected.

34. Target participant Target participant should not only cover hardcore poverty. Rather it should include everybody who are in the poverty classification. More importantly, those chosen must be healthy, younger and have the will power to work in the project • Planning of the Project Area The project area that has been identified should be provided with the adequate facilities. In fact, the number of participants should be targeted compatible with the size of the area and are relevant to the site.

35. Project Implementation The agency responsible should ensure that projects are controlled to achieve the desired target. Governs transparency will be paramount. Infrastructure must be built to achieve high standards set by any agency. This is because in the case of PulauBanggi, Sabah, all the facilities built did not meet the standards set by the local technical agencies. • Project Management As an effort to streamline the Agropolitan program, Malaysia needs to develop its own mechanism in shaping the agricultural project model that fits the situation in the country. The original concept which was introduced did not fully materialized due to some problems arise in the site.

36. RTC Centre New Concept To Improving AgropolitanProgramme-MERGING OF AGROPOLITANT AND RTC-TOWARDS A MORE CONCERNTRATED APPROACH Settlement Integrated Land Agropolitan Access farm to RTC • Three of these components serve as the main criteria that must be adapted to this concept as follows: • RTC center • Integration of Land Agropolitan • Growth Centre • Known as ‘Mini Agro’ • FOCUS ON UN-UTILISED LAND (TANAH TERBIAR) • FUNDING FROM PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR Main access/ Linkages IMPLEMENTATION OF AGROPOLITANT PROJECT IN OVERSEAS SUCH AS INDONESIA DOES DOT DEPEND SO MUCH ON PUBLIC FUND

37. 10. Conclusion • The agricultural project implementation used two different methods but have the same goal which is to develop rural areas. • Less strategic location has also prevented the implementation of this program, particularly involving areas in Sabah and Sarawak. Here the selected should not be simply based on availability, but must be feasible and strategic as well. • A combination of a few mini agropolitanwill then help to form agropolitanand RTC. • Finally, it is time for the relevant authorities to rethink whether is necessary to continue the program with previous methods, as this program has incurred so much capital expenses. • A more effective approach is hereby highlighted.

38. THANK YOU

41. THANK YOUTERIMA KASIH

42. Contents Introduction Agropolitan Development Programme Status Of AgropolitanProgramme By UKAS and KKLW AgropolitanDevelopment Approaches By UKAS Agropolitan Development Approaches By KKLW Study Area The Challenges Of Agropolitan Implementation The Findings of Study The Proposals To Improving AgropolitanProgramme Conclusion

43. 3. Government Transformation Programme In 2012, the present Prime Minister Dato’ Seri MohdNajibTunRazak launched another development programme which is known as ‘Government Transformation Programme’ which include the rural sector also. The initiatives include: • Enhancing water supply distribution and treatment system : Upgrades will be made to the existing system to ensure that the expansion of water delivery will not overly tax the existing supply. • Rural electrification programme: Schools in rural areas will be connected to the main grid to reduce their dependence on diesel generators thereby lessening their fuel cost and ensuring that there is a more stable supply of electricity. Hybrid systems will also be used to deliver electricity to rural households. • Maintenance of infrastructure : This initiative aims to monitor and maintain roads and power generators in rural areas.”