Baku:Agrobank's new financing initiatives are set to create significant opportunities for entrepreneurs to enhance local food production and modernize agriculture, aligning with Budget 2027's emphasis on fortifying the nation's food security.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Agrobank announced a RM40 million financing allocation for aquaculture projects, supplemented by over RM1 billion in funding from both Agrobank and other financial institutions. This funding aims to increase production capacity and facilitate the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies.
Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, Agrobank Group President and CEO, emphasized that the bank’s goal is not only to provide financial support but also to assist entrepreneurs in overcoming operational challenges, improving productivity, and building resilient businesses. Specifically, in the aquaculture sector, appropriate financing can help operators expand production capacity and implement more efficient technologies.
As of September 2026, Agrobank had approved RM2.08 billion in financing for 7,236 entrepreneurs in sectors such as agriculture, agri-food, livestock, services, and fisheries. The bank's efforts are further supported by initiatives like Agro Padi-i Salam and partnerships with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and Halal@Agrobank, which offer entrepreneurs access to financing and opportunities to expand their businesses and markets.
The Agrobank x FAMA Agro-Entrepreneur Scheme organized 15 roadshows at farmers' markets nationwide this year, attracting business financing applications totaling over RM13 million. In the oil palm sector, a RM100 million hybrid financing scheme from the government is expected to assist 4,500 smallholders in replanting their crops, with only half of the financing requiring repayment. This initiative, in partnership with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), aims to streamline financing processes and boost productivity.
The Halal@Agrobank initiative, launched this year, will aid more entrepreneurs in obtaining halal certification, thereby expanding their businesses and reaching broader markets. Additionally, Agrobank's housing financing facility for gig workers aims to help them purchase their first homes, aligning with the government's commitment to making housing financing accessible, especially for those with irregular incomes.
Looking towards 2027, Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah stated that Agrobank will maintain its focus on financing that supports increased food production, technology adoption, agropreneur development, and the expansion of agri-food value chains. The bank measures its success not just by the financing distributed but by the tangible benefits delivered to entrepreneurs and contributions to the country's food security.