The Colombo Plan Staff College and the Center for Food and Agribusiness of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) held a relevant forum on Malaysia’s success on rural development through a seminar on the development experience of the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) last February 26, 2013 on the APEC Building of the University of Asia Pacific Building in Manila, Philippines. Dato Mustapa Jaman, the former Director General of FELCRA from 1981-1997, was the chief speaker of this program.
The seminar aimed to provide the participants with relevant insights and ideas on the formation of FELCRA and its role in alleviating rural poverty in Malaysia through the rehabilitation and development of fragmented land holdings into efficient economic units while acocunting for diversification in agriculture and in turn, providing a sustainable income for the farmers who converted their individual land ownership to joint-ownership for this project.
CPSC and UA&P facilitated the participation of 85 attendees coming from its partner institutions such as TESDA Women’s Center (TWC), the National TVET Trainers Academy (NTTA), Meralco Foundation, Inc. (MFI) and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), as well as CPSC. This seminar aimed to provide participants with the necessary exposure on the viability of the Malaysian experience in land reform and rural development and hopes to inspire them in developing effective ways to maximize the usage of agricultural lands in the country.
The Center for Food and Agribusiness (CFA), is the agri-food research and instruction arm of the UA&P School of Management aiming to be a leading institution in agrifood education, training and research. It conducts industry, policy and strategic studies geared towards enhancing the agri-food sector’s competitiveness.
 DG CPSC, Dr.Naim, 4th from left and Dr.Rolland Dy of UA&P, 3rd from Left and other staffs from both institutions during the planning meeting for the event |
 Dato Mustapa Jaman, former DG of FELCRA delivering his talk |
 The audience listening to the talk by Dato Mustapa, former DG of FELCRA |
