Empowering Asnaf Agropreneurs Through Economic Development Programs by Selected Zakat Institutions

Abstract

The poverty issue among asnaf has still been the main focus of Zakat Institutions in Malaysia. Various forms of assistance have been given to asnaf for them to get out of poverty, including capital assistance, equipment and guidance training. However, many asnaf are still plagued by poverty. The objective of this study is to look at the form of a special Economic Development Program to produce asnaf agropreneurs in the states involved by using the method of interviews and library research as data collection methods. Semi-structured interview questions were conducted with informants involved in the implementation of the asnaf agropreneur program for the states involved. The result of the study found that four states that have conducted special agricultural programs for asnaf entrepreneurs. The programs are Program Pemerkasaan Asnaf (Proper A) in Perak, the Pineapple Planting Program in Penang, the Human Development Plan in Perlis and the Human Development Model in Kelantan. The farmer entrepreneurship program implemented by the Zakat Institution for asnaf is one of the best initiatives to make agriculture a source of income because the field of agriculture is still relevant and has the potential to be developed for the economic development of the asnaf.