KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Driven by its mission to ensure the stability of agriculture sector especially in agrofood industry, Agrobank had on 12 December 2020 launched a special publication entitled ‘Kesan COVID-19 dan Jaminan Bekalan Makanan Negara – Isu, Cadangan dan Solusi’.
 
The publication is a compilation of articles by key industry players in the agriculture sector which analysing the issues, challenges and solutions related to food security due to COVID-19.
 
Report on the Global Food Crisis 2020 (GRFC) stated that COVID-19 can result in further deterioration of food security to acute or critical levels in the current population of the world.
 
According to Dato’ Mustapha Buang, Chairman of Agrobank, “The publication of this book is timely and it is part of Agrobank’s initiative in assisting the agriculture community whilst ensuring the sustainability and stability of the nation’s food supply in facing the threat of any crisis.”
 
As a Development Financial Institution (DFI) with mandate to support the growth of agriculture sector in Malaysia, Agrobank remains committed to providing various financing programmes and initiatives to its customers. This publication for instance can be obtained for free and in line with its vision which is Advancing Agriculture Beyond Banking.
 
In providing access to financing for agropreneurs, Agrobank is actively carried out various financing programmes for entrepreneurs who are affected by the pandemic by providing ‘Agromakanan Fund’ under PENJANA. From January to October 2020, Agrobank has approved more than 4,600 micro financing applications with a total financing of RM202,714,320.03.
 
Agrobank also offers support and flexibility to its customers who are affected by COVID-19 and may be entering a phase of financial uncertainty especially to businesses in agrofood industry by offering a restructuring and rescheduling (R&R) programmes. To date, Agrobank has approved over 9,000 R&R applications to micro, corporate, commercial and consumer customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to ease their cash flow.
 
During the period of Movement Control Order, Agrobank also assists agropreneurs who are impacted by COVID-19 through various series of physical and online courses like Business Guidance, Klinik Bisnes, online dialogue sessions such as UMBI AGRO and webminar sessions which provides a platform for agropreneurs to discuss issues, suggestions and solutions related to entrepreneurship in agriculture and agrofood sectors.  
 
During the online launch of the book through Agrobank’s official Facebook page, Mustapha also expressed his appreciation for the efforts and support given by the writers of this publication, “On behalf of Agrobank, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the authors who have contributed their articles for this publication and may the essence of this book provide new knowledge and can be used as a guide to all of us in our effort to improve the stability of the nation’s food security”.
 
‘Kesan COVID-19 dan Jaminan Bekalan Makanan Negara – Isu, Cadangan dan Solusi’ book contains nine (9) articles and two (2) case studies related to food security which published articles from Dato’ Haslina Abdul Hamid, Deputy Secretary General (Policy) of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI); Professor Datin Paduka Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Member of National Agriculture Advisory Council (MPPN); Dato’ Dr. Madeline Berma, Fellow of Akademi Sains Malaysia; Dr. Sarena Che Omar, Senior Research Associate, Khazanah Research Institute as well as all the agencies involved namely FAMA, MARDI, LPP and the Department of Agriculture.
 
The book is published in both physical (limited copies) and digital copies and can be obtained through Agrobank website at www.agrobank.com.my.

ABOUT AGROBANK
Agrobank is a leader in agriculture financing and values-based banking based (VBI)* in Malaysia. Established in 1969, Agrobank is actively involved in charting the growth and development of Malaysia’s agriculture industry by offering shariah compliant products and solutions across various customer segments including corporate, commercial, consumer, trade finance and micro financing customers. Agrobank is a full-fledged Islamic bank since 1st July 2015.
 
As a market driven, customer-centric DFI (Development Financial Institution) with a primary focus on strengthening the agriculture sector in Malaysia, Agrobank strikes an equal balance to its developmental and commercial roles to benefit the agriculture sector. Agrobank provides a comprehensive repertoire of financing solutions for the agriculture community; that includes upstream activities related to primary food and commodities-based agriculture activities to downstream activities such as processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products.
 
Agrobank also offers retail banking financing solutions to improve the well-being of the agriculture community. This is done through its network of 192 customer touch points including 138 branches, 1 agro banking, 1 virtual banking, 10 commercial financing centre, 34 kiosk, 8 agro corners & agro point.  
 
In 2019, Agrobank celebrates its golden jubilee Anniversary, as it marks 50 years of its proud establishment developing the agro industry.  
 
www.agrobank.com.my  

* VBI or value-based intermediation is an initiative by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) which aims to improve the products and services offered by Islamic financial institutions towards a better facilitation of entrepreneurship, community well-being, sustainable environment and economic growth, without compromising on shareholders’ returns

Issued by Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
  
SOURCE: Agrobank 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Shahreen Rahim
Section Head of Public Relations,
Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1660 (ext 1660) / +6012-943 6217
Email: shahreen.rahim@agrobank.com.my
 
Name: Syarifah Syameen
Senior Executive, Public Relations,
Strategic Communications Department, Agrobank
Tel: 03-2731 1652 / +6012-310 1766
Email: syameen@agrobank.com.my 

--BERNAMA