GUA MUSANG, The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) has approved 16,000 applications for the BUDI Agri-Commodities programme across Peninsular Malaysia as of Tuesday (Aug 13). Its Minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, said that out of the number, 7,221 were appeals received from smallholders in the oil plam, rubber, kenaf, cocoa and pepper sectors. "Up to July 31, a total of 210,520 smallholders were eligible to apply for the BUDI Agri-Commodities programme across Peninsular Malaysia. "In the oil palm sector, 104,492 smallholders are eligible to apply; in the rubber sector, 104,739; in the kenaf sector, 584; in the cocoa sector, 542; and in the pepper sector, 163," he told reporters after attending the BUDI Agri-Commodities outreach programme at the Agropolitan Multipurpose Hall here today. Commenting further, Johari said that his ministry would continue to conduct field activities, providing briefings on the BUDI Agri-Commodities initiative and setting up registration counters for smallholder s to submit their applications. "Individuals must register with the agencies under the KPK, namely the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), the Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM), the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM), the Malaysian Pepper Board (MPB), and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN). "Applicants must adhere to the requirement regarding the size of land owned or managed privately, based on the type of crop, 4.5 hectares or less for smallholders in the oil palm and rubber sectors, and 2.5 hectares or less for smallholders in the pepper, cocoa and kenaf sectors," he said. He added that an incentive payment of RM200 per month or RM2,400 per year will be provided to eligible smallholders under the BUDI Agri-Commodities programme. Source: BERNAMA News Agency