SERDANG, 17 May 2023 – The collaboration between PERHEBAT and Putra Agricultural Centre (PAC) of the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in the PUTRA-PERHEBAT USAHAWANTANI PROGRAMME on the 14 and 15th of March received positive and encouraging feedback.

USAHAWANTANI is a joint programme between PERHEBAT and the Putra Agricultural Cenre (PAC) of the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The USAHAWANTANI Programme offers training and structured guidance in the field of agriculture, especially for MAF members that are involved with the Transition Training, and MAF veterans who are involved in the expertise. The programme acts as a stepping stone for their secondary careers, and is aligned with the government’s initiative in cementing the nation’s food supply.

The USAHAWANTANI Programme was held for two days, which consists of training and technical agricultural guidance in two main modules, which are crops and livestock.

Participants are given exposure and on-the-field training at the Plants and Agro technology Section with plant modules such as rock melons, vegetables, plantation and harvesting, readiness for a new area and season, manual seed fertilization (seeder and tugal), pineapple cultivation, quail breeding projects and silage preparation. Among the module activities were quail slaughter, quail product packaging, preparation of livestock food supply and making silages.

Participants who were involved consisted of 48 senior MAF members who are due for retirement, officers and Enlisted personnel.

The teaching staff consists of the Director of Putra Agricultural Centre, Prof. Madya Siti Zaharah binti Sakimin along with UPM Agriculture Centre Officers.