Latest news with #Hawa
The Star
25-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Ginger cultivation brings new spice of life to Kota Tinggi farmers
Villagers in Kota Tinggi, Johor, are investing in ginger cultivation as a high-value crop to bolster local food security. While farming ginger might seem straightforward, first-time ginger farmer Mihat Mohad described it as a 'sensitive plant.' His dedication to ginger farming is driven by the aspiration for Kota Tinggi to develop its own unique species. 'We hope that eventually, we can cultivate our very own Kota Tinggi ginger species and transform it into a reliable source of income for the local community,' he explained. Mihat's vision is grounded in the work of Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS) consulting fellow Dr Hawa Jaafar. She has worked out a plan to develop a ginger species suited to Kota Tinggi's unique conditions. 'Our long-term goal is to develop a ginger species adapted to Kota Tinggi's conditions. 'It will take two to three planting cycles for the crop to stabilise and adapt to local conditions, but we are confident it can be done,' she said when met at a ginger farm in Kampung Gembut, Sedili. Since joining a Bentong ginger planting initiative in October last year, Mihat, from Kampung Tuan Seh, discovered that ginger was prone to disease, with dark spots forming if not properly managed. Mohamed Khaled (second from right) and Hawa (left) at the launch of the young Bentong ginger harvesting programme in Kampung Gembut, Johor. 'You need the right temperature, fertiliser and drainage. 'Even though I have been farming vegetables for the past seven years, ginger farming is quite new to me. 'What is interesting about Bentong ginger is that the leaves emit a light and fragrant ginger aroma,' said the 43-year-old. He said participants in a ginger cultivation programme organised for Kota Tinggi folk, underwent two training courses where UPM's experts and Johor Agriculture Department officers shared knowledge and best practices to help in their ginger cultivation journey. Mihat joined the programme under the umbrella of Koperasi Wawasan Tuan Seh Tanjung Sedili Kota Tinggi Bhd where he is the secretary. The cooperative managed to plant 1,200 ginger plants since last October, making it among the highest yield in the programme. The crops are planted in stages to allow for staggered harvests and steady income, said Mihat. 'Young Bentong ginger is harvested after six months. It fetches a higher market price. 'We sell it for RM40 per kg, which is higher compared to ginger imported from China, Indonesia and Thailand. 'It can be used as medicine, in cooking or even consumed raw. Our hope is to one day sell it beyond Kota Tinggi,' he added. The ginger cultivation programme, spearheaded by UPM, involved 30 participants from seven villages in Kota Tinggi. Hawa said the programme's participants were monitored, with about 5,000 ginger plants being cultivated to date. She said the initiative aimed to reduce Malaysia's reliance on imported ginger, which made up more than 80% of supply based on data from 2022 to 2023. Hawa, who has over two decades of experience working with herbs including kacip fatimah, also sits on the Malaysian Herbal Monograph committee – a project involving various agencies working to promote Malaysian medicinal plants and grow the country's herbal industry. Highlighting the many health benefits of ginger, she said, 'It is rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which give it disease-preventing and anti- inflammatory properties. 'It can boost immunity and help fight infections. 'A simple way to enjoy it is to slice it thinly, steep in hot water, add honey and drink, daily.' Hawa said the project was about more than just increasing agricultural output. 'Our vision is to create opportunities for the less privileged, especially single mothers and the poor, so they can earn an income through farming. 'Beyond planting, we are also encouraging downstream activities such as producing ginger powder, which commands a higher market price.' She said the project received support from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is Kota Tinggi MP. The minister launched a young Bentong ginger harvesting programme in Kampung Gembut on June 21, where he said locally grown ginger had the potential to penetrate the international market due to its unique features such as strong aroma, distinct spice level and less fibrous pulp. 'With support from the community and government leaders, we hope this initiative can be expanded to other parts of Johor and even nationwide,' Hawa added. — By YEE XIANG YUN
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Zahid: Women entrepreneurs should get more financial support
KUALA LUMPUR: Women entrepreneurs in Malaysia should be provided with greater business financing to support their expansion efforts and facilitate entry into international markets, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic). The Deputy Prime Minister said this initiative is particularly crucial for women entrepreneurs, who face challenges in accessing financial capital. 'We should also align the Global Women's Empowerment Fund scheme with an export financing initiative, tailored to support high-potential women entrepreneurs. This fund should prioritise export certification, participation in international expos, global branding and logistics. 'The proposal to increase loan capital is justified. 'For instance, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), where nearly 100% of borrowers are women, has maintained an impressively low non-performing loan (NPL) rate of just 0.1%,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said this when launching the Women in Export Forum 2025, jointly organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and the Malaysian Women and Family Affairs Organisation (Hawa) at Matrade yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Hawa chairman Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, proposed the setting up of a Women Export Incubator – a one-stop centre designed to provide a comprehensive support ecosystem for women entrepreneurs aiming to enter the international market. He emphasised that the incubator should offer export mentoring services, international certification training, co-working spaces and digital business clinics, with a particular focus on supporting women from rural areas and the B40 group. 'I also propose the 'Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita' to recognise female figures who have made a significant impact in trade, technology, the halal industry and regional exports,' Ahmad Zahid said. 'This initiative will not only inspire enthusiasm, but also serve as a platform for economic diplomacy, enhancing Malaysia's global branding.'
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Women entrepreneurs should receive greater business financing support
KUALA LUMPUR: Women entrepreneurs in Malaysia should be provided with greater business financing, to support their expansion efforts, and facilitate entry into international markets. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that this initiative is particularly crucial for women entrepreneurs, who face challenges in accessing financial capital. 'We should also align the Global Women's Empowerment Fund scheme with an export financing initiative, tailored to support high-potential women entrepreneurs. This fund should prioritise export certification, participation in international expos, global branding, and logistics. 'The proposal to increase loan capital is justified. For instance, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), where nearly 100 per cent of borrowers are women, has maintained an impressively low non-performing loan (NPL) rate, of just 0.1 per cent,' he said. He said this when officiating the Women in Export Forum 2025, jointly organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and the Malaysian Women and Family Affairs Organisation (Hawa), at Matrade today. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican; and Hawa chairman Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, proposed the establishment of a Women Export Incubator - a one-stop centre designed to provide a comprehensive support ecosystem for women entrepreneurs aiming to enter the international market. He emphasised that the incubator should offer export mentoring services, international certification training, co-working spaces, and digital business clinics, with a particular focus on supporting women from rural areas and the B40 group. 'I also propose the 'Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita', to recognise female figures who have made a significant impact in trade, technology, the halal industry, and regional exports. This initiative will not only inspire enthusiasm, but also serve as a platform for economic diplomacy, enhancing Malaysia's global branding. 'At the same time, we must champion the Green Trade for Women, an initiative designed to train and support women in producing environmentally friendly products, which align with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, emphasised the importance of leveraging the TVET platform to strengthen women's skills across various fields, including technology and entrepreneurship.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Zahid: Boost financing for women entrepreneurs
KUALA LUMPUR: Women entrepreneurs in Malaysia should be provided with greater business financing, to support their expansion efforts, and facilitate entry into international markets. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that this initiative is particularly crucial for women entrepreneurs, who face challenges in accessing financial capital. 'We should also align the Global Women's Empowerment Fund scheme with an export financing initiative, tailored to support high-potential women entrepreneurs. This fund should prioritise export certification, participation in international expos, global branding, and logistics. 'The proposal to increase loan capital is justified. For instance, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), where nearly 100 per cent of borrowers are women, has maintained an impressively low non-performing loan (NPL) rate, of just 0.1 per cent,' he said. He said this when officiating the Women in Export Forum 2025, jointly organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and the Malaysian Women and Family Affairs Organisation (Hawa), at Matrade today. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican; and Hawa chairman Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, proposed the establishment of a Women Export Incubator - a one-stop centre designed to provide a comprehensive support ecosystem for women entrepreneurs aiming to enter the international market. He emphasised that the incubator should offer export mentoring services, international certification training, co-working spaces, and digital business clinics, with a particular focus on supporting women from rural areas and the B40 group. 'I also propose the 'Anugerah Wira Ekonomi Wanita', to recognise female figures who have made a significant impact in trade, technology, the halal industry, and regional exports. This initiative will not only inspire enthusiasm, but also serve as a platform for economic diplomacy, enhancing Malaysia's global branding. 'At the same time, we must champion the Green Trade for Women, an initiative designed to train and support women in producing environmentally friendly products, which align with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, emphasised the importance of leveraging the TVET platform to strengthen women's skills across various fields, including technology and entrepreneurship.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Zahid proposes global fund to boost women entrepreneurs' access to capital
KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) should spearhead the coordination of a global women's empowerment fund, aimed at supporting high-potential female entrepreneurs who face limited access to capital. This proposal is among five initiatives identified as necessary to address the ongoing challenges encountered by women in business. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposed fund should prioritise areas such as export certification, participation in international trade expos, global branding and logistical support. "The government remains committed to empowering women as agents of change by providing a holistic support ecosystem, enabling them to contribute significantly to the nation's economic growth. "We frequently hear how women entrepreneurs face difficulties securing financing due to insufficient financial guarantees and gender stereotypes in the banking sector. "This situation inevitably restricts the growth of women-led businesses," he said during his speech at the 2025 Women in Export Forum here today. Present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Umno's Women and Family Affairs Council (Hawa) chairman Tan Sri Shahrizat and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican. Zahid also called on Hawa, Miti and Matrade not only to expand women's participation in strategic sectors but also to serve as facilitators for female entrepreneurs. He said this would allow them to expand further and receive appropriate support from various stakeholders, including financial institutions and facility providers. Other proposed initiatives include the establishment of a Women Export Incubator, a one-stop centre offering a supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs aspiring to break into international markets. "This incubator should offer export mentorship, international certification training, co-working spaces and digital business clinics, particularly aimed at supporting women from rural areas and the B40 group. "I also propose the establishment of a women's economic hero award to honour women who have made a significant impact in the fields of trade, technology, halal industry and regional exports. "This award would not only serve as a source of inspiration but could also become a platform for economic diplomacy and enhance Malaysia's branding on the world stage," he said. Zahid said Miti must also take the lead in launching a Green Trade for Women Programme, to train and support women in producing environmentally friendly products that comply with environmental, social and governance principles. Among others, he said Miti must harness the potential of technical and vocational education and training as a key platform to enhance women's skills across various sectors, including technology and entrepreneurship. When asked whether the proposals would be brought to the cabinet, Zahid expressed confidence that Tengku Zafrul would elevate the matter to ministerial level for implementation. "All five proposals have solid merit, particularly regarding financing for women entrepreneurs specifically, as well as the women's economic award. "The other two proposals are interrelated, and I believe both (the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry) and Miti should be given the opportunity to further develop women entrepreneurs, particularly those focused on manufacturing export products," he said.
