Mayalsia’s Agrobank has partnered with the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through its Food Industry and Agro-based Division to launch a bold initiative that channels RM100 million into the NextGen Agropreneur Programme. This effort, running from 2026 to 2030, is designed to cultivate a new generation of agropreneurs by offering a structured and comprehensive pathway for young people to enter and expand within the agricultural sector. The program targets four critical areas of agriculture: crops, livestock, fisheries, and food-based industries, ensuring that the support provided aligns with the nation’s broader food security and economic goals.

The collaboration was formalized during the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition 2026 at MAEPS in Serdang, where Agrobank and BIMAT exchanged cooperation documents and a symbolic cheque worth RM87.5 million was presented. The program is divided into two components. The NextGen Agropreneur Start-Up Grant supports individuals aged 18 to 43 who are beginning their agricultural journey, while the Scale-Up Grant is tailored for entrepreneurs aged 21 to 45 who already have established projects and are ready to expand operations, enhance productivity, and integrate advanced technologies.

Agrobank’s Group President and CEO, Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, emphasized that young people are central to shaping the future of agriculture. He noted that the program not only provides opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs to strengthen their ventures but also creates space for experienced players to scale up and adopt modern practices. The Start-Up Grant requires applicants to have existing projects and undergo technical training, while the Scale-Up Grant is reserved for those with at least three years of operational experience who seek to broaden their reach through technology-driven solutions.

In addition to the NextGen initiative, Agrobank has introduced the Program Modenisasi Rantaian Nilai Agromakanan 2025, a financing scheme worth RM30 million aimed at encouraging micro, small, and medium enterprises to adopt agrotechnology. This program covers the entire agri-food value chain, from upstream to downstream, with a focus on mechanization, automation, green technology, and precision farming rooted in Fourth Industrial Revolution innovations such as the Internet of Things. Financing under this program is Shariah-compliant, ranging from RM10,000 to RM1 million, with margins up to 100 percent and repayment terms of up to ten years at a competitive rate of three percent annually.

Agrobank has also secured a RM1.5 million matching grant under the High Impact Product Matching Grant Programme to support food and agro-based entrepreneurs in enhancing production capacity, improving product quality, and expanding market access. This program targets enterprises with annual gross sales between RM300,000 and RM10 million, offering grants up to RM200,000 for smaller businesses and up to RM400,000 for those at the higher end of the scale.