Applying territorial approach to rural agribusiness development in Malaysia’s aboriginal (Orang Asli) settlements: A comparative study of Pos Balar, Kelantan and Pos Sinderut, Pahang

Abstract

Multiple factors may contribute to poverty among Orang Asli , namely, traditional, consumption oriented ways ofcrop cultivation which depend largely on family labour, inconsistent returns of cash cropping, the presence ofmiddle traders which prevent s their direct access to market, lack of transportation network and information, lack ofaccess to basic infrastructure, low education, insufficient skills and limited opportunities to change. The TerritorialApproach to Rural Agribusiness Development (TARBD) envisages eight stages of meeting the twin goal of foodsecurity and poverty reduction, viz. 1) planning and initiation by building strategic partnership 2) mobilizationthrough participatory diagnosis and community visioning, 3) formation of participatory market research, 4)participation programmes, 5) evaluation of enterprise options, 6) design and implementation of agro-enterpriseprojects, 7) support services for enterprise development, and 8) strengthening of local institutions. This studycompared the situations in two Orang Asli settlements - Pos Balar in Kelantan and Pos Sinderut in Pahang - withrespect to the TARBD‘s eight stages. The findings revealed some real limitations with the TARBD approach andpointed to the need to adapt it to actual local conditions and contexts of the Orang Asli settlements.Keywords: agribusiness, food security, Orang Asli, poverty reduction, rural development, Territorial Approach toRural Agribusiness Development (TARBD)