From L-R: Arshad Ismail, President/Group Chief Executive Officer, BPMB, Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, Founder & CEO of microLEAP, Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, MDEC
Kuala Lumpur, 15 November 2021 - Shariah-compliant P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Financing platform microLEAP has announced their collaboration with Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) to finance Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation’s (MDEC’s) Digital Agtech Programme, where RM10 million in Shariah-compliant microfinancing has been allocated for Malaysia’s agriculture community.
For Malaysia’s farming industry to stay relevant and keep pace with the huge advancement in farming technologies, it is extremely important for this industry to adopt future-forward solutions. To that end, the objective of this microfinancing is to accelerate the use of smart farming systems to allow farmers to accelerate the adoption of technology known as ‘smart fertigation system’ in their farming operations. The technology helps to optimise the use of fertilizers, improve chili yield by 22% and improve farmers’ income by 33%. The financing project starts with the Kuala Langat Area Farmers Organisation (Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Kuala Langat), part of Malaysia’s chili farming community, with other farming organisations to follow.
“This collaboration marks another significant milestone for microLEAP. Working together with financial institutions and government agencies to provide much needed support to local agri-tech players is the way forward to ensure Malaysia continues its high-potential digitalisation path. We are proud that established entities such as BPMB and MDEC have chosen microLEAP to work with on this project,” mentioned Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, Founder & CEO of microLEAP.
The collaboration was struck at MDEC’s AI and Data Week (AIDW) 2021 event, where a virtual MOU was signed between BPMB and MDEC. With all three parties realising the opportunity to provide more for the nation’s agri-tech scene, microLEAP was identified as the ideal medium through which the financing will be disbursed and handled accordingly, allowing for a smooth end-to-end experience given the P2P financing platform’s vast know-how with microfinancing since its inception.
“As one of Malaysia’s oldest development financial institutions, we are committed to facilitating greater automation and digitalisation across all sectors and businesses in the country. Therefore, we are happy to have formed this strategic collaboration with microLEAP through MDEC’s Agtech programme. The collaboration will feature funding support from BPMB to drive digitalisation initiatives in the country and will be deployed through a peer-to-peer financing platform operated by microLEAP. Leveraging on our collective strengths and expertise, I am confident that we will be able to accelerate the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy,” said Arshad Ismail, President & Group Chief Executive Officer, BPMB.
With this financing, all parties are hoping to help the farming community thrive with technology solutions, which could be applied to other industries severely affected by the effects of the pandemic. As Malaysia looks to be the regional hub for the digital economy, it is important for both public and private sectors to work together in ensuring the advancement of local businesses.
“AgTech is a vital pillar within the digital economy not just in strengthening Malaysia’s food security via increased productivity and efficiency, but also to spark and nurture a new generation of innovation-fuelled farmers. The collaboration between BMPB and microLEAP is a significant step forward in driving the growth of MDEC’s eLadang AgTech programme towards the vision of a Progressive, Inclusive and Sustainable Keluarga Malaysia,” said Mahadhir Aziz, CEO, MDEC.
