Perak rural development, entrepreneur and cooperative development committee chairman Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said the state government, in collaboration with the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation (PPPNP), had allocated 400ha for this purpose last year.

He said graduates could use their skills and knowledge to venture into planting of crops.

“Several farming projects slated to start last year could not be carried out due to the movement control order.

“But a cooperative will plant 100,000 Robusta coffee trees this August in a project involving several graduates,” he said at a media conference after launching the “Terjah Usahawan Luar Bandar” programme in Kampung Jawang near here today.

Zainol said Robusta coffee was in high demand but supply was still short.

He was confident the project would be viable and provide jobs for graduates.

“I notice many young people here are planting chilli, cucumber, guava and luffa, and also rearing fish to meet local demand.”

He said graduates keen to venture into agriculture could apply directly to PPPNP.