KOTA TINGGI, March 30 — Boustead Plantations Berhad, in collaboration with Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran ATM (JHEV), continues to strengthen its commitment to empowering Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) veterans through the implementation of the JanaVeteran project.
The initiative based on modern agriculture has the potential to serve as a catalyst for the economic well-being of this group.
The JanaVeteran Project was officially launched last Saturday by Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin at Ladang Telok Sengat, Kota Tinggi, marking a continuation of the project first introduced in 2025.
The JanaVeteran Project is a strategic initiative that provides sustainable income opportunities for ATM veterans through their participation in modern agricultural activities, specifically ginger cultivation using fertigation techniques—a high-value cash crop.
In its first phase, the project is developed across 12 hectares out of a total planned 24 hectares, involving 15 ATM veterans. Each participant manages an individual fertigation plot consisting of approximately 7,500 polybags of ginger.
The implementation of the project also aligns with the growing demand and potential of the ginger industry, both globally and domestically.
The global ginger market is projected to reach US$7.5 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate exceeding 6.0 per cent. In Malaysia, the self-sufficiency level for ginger remains low at approximately 15 per cent, while dependency on imports exceeds 85 per cent.
These figures highlight the urgent need to strengthen local production capacity in support of the national food security agenda.
Participants in the project receive a guaranteed monthly income of RM2,000 through plot management contracts, along with additional incentives based on harvest yields, enabling them to earn up to approximately RM3,000 per month, subject to production performance and crop quality.
To ensure income stability, BPlant purchases the entire harvest and manages centralised marketing to pre-identified buyers, providing a secure and structured value chain for participants.
“The JanaVeteran Project is not merely an agricultural initiative, but a platform for social empowerment that brings new value to the lives of ATM veterans,” said Boustead Plantations chairman Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal (B).
“They have served and sacrificed for the nation, and it is now our responsibility to ensure they are given fair and sustainable economic opportunities.”
“The strategic collaboration between BPlant, JHEV and our industry partners demonstrates that modern agricultural models can create meaningful impact—not only for the participants, but also in advancing the national food security agenda. This is just the beginning of something greater and more meaningful for our veteran community.”
This initiative represents a significant step in ensuring that ATM veterans remain competitive and capable of generating income after their service. At the same time, it contributes to strengthening national food security while promoting inclusive and sustainable community economic development.
The project is supported by various agencies and strategic partners, including Jabatan Pertanian Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), FAMA, Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Kuala Langat (PPKKL), Pernama, as well as other industry partners involved in technology transfer, training, marketing, and downstream industry development.
In the long term, the JanaVeteran project has strong potential to be expanded nationwide, with broader participation from ATM veterans and serving as a catalyst for the development of the local ginger industry.
This press release was provided by Boustead Plantations.
