TANJUNG SEPAT, 30 Dec: The people of Selangor, especially the young people, are encouraged to participate in agricultural activities by offering loans which will be given by the Selangor State Government starting from 2014.

The Executive Councillor in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sallehen Mukhyi, said that the people of Selangor can start agricultural activities individually or collectively with the loan.

He said that it is even more exciting when the loan does not need to be paid back in cash, but through yields received by operators.

“The repayment through yields means that the income received each month is certified by the agencies involved.

“After being certified, operators need only show their revenue to the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and they do not have to pay back after receiving their income each month which matches the value of the loan,” he said when inaugurating the People’s Carnival at Pantai Kampung Batu Laut yesterday.

Sallehen said that the approach is being taken so that operators will seriously work their farm and focus on getting good yields, thus helping to generate income for their families.

“The loans granted are not for profit, that is why we are offering it this way. Previously, we will not provide loans; for example we will give boat engines for fishermen, unfortunately they sold the engines.

“So we do not want that to happen again, we want to shape the attitude of farmers so that they are more focused,” he said.

He said that he will ask UPEN to prepare the loan draft to those qualified and attention will be given to collective operators or youth.