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JAKARTA: The Directorate General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia and PT KOLTIVA, has launched the Horticulture Development Dryland Area Project (HDDAP). This project aims to increase the productivity, quality, and value chain improvements of horticultural products in Indonesia and involves producers in 13 districts within seven provinces. HDDAP is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2028. On May 20-22, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and KOLTIVA conducted field visits to the seven provinces—North Sumatra, West Java, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, East Java, and Central Java—to monitor the implementation of the HDDAP project. This program is expected to optimize more than 10,000 hectares of dry land into horticultural cultivation areas, with the assistance of KoltiTrace MIS technology to enhance traceability and agricultural management. As part of this commitment, KOLTIVA introduced KoltiTrace, a Management Information System (MIS) designed to monitor and manage agricultural projects more effectively. This system not only ensures transparency in the supply chain but also supports strategic decision-making through an advanced dashboard. For instance, the system includes various features such as Geo Location & Land Mapping that enable the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture to monitor operations, make data-driven decisions, optimize costs, and enhance crop yields with a proven tracking system and Supply Chain Management. This system allows users to verify producer traceability and access to a comprehensive KPI dashboard, customized to agreements and privacy policies, along with many other features. With this approach, KOLTIVA can demonstrate that agricultural practices and economic activities in the sector can become more sustainable and enable investment. Thus, KOLTIVA can drive the transformation of the horticultural sector towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. During the visit, sub-district supervisors, component leaders, Petugas Pengendali Organisme Pengganggu Tumbuhan (POPT) or Plant Pest Organism Control Officers, Penyuluh Pertanian Lapangan (PPL) or Field Agricultural Extension Officers, and the secretariat team participated in training on the use of the KoltiTrace MIS Mobile Application. This training included detailed data recording about producer and their land, using the application’s interface and features, and hands-on practice at production sites. The data collected ranged from producer’s family backgrounds to monitoring and evaluation farming processes, with the aim of strengthening producers’ capacity to efficiently utilize dry land. During the kick-off event in Surabaya last month, it was emphasized that the HDDAP program will run for five years, with the goal of providing substantial benefits to producers, including the empowerment of women. The program includes agricultural modernization, collaboration between producers and the private sector, stimulation of market demand, and enhancement of the business capacity of producer groups. The HDDAP project not only focuses on agricultural transformation through digitization but also has a tangible impact on the lives of producers by providing direct assistance in the form of agricultural production facilities and skill enhancement. Through this program, producers receive essential support such as fertilizers, farming equipment, and other production means, enabling them to optimize agricultural practices and increase crop yields, ultimately contributing to their economic well-being. “The supply chain mapping with KoltiTrace MIS is pivotal for the horticulture sector, transcending mere identification of key points to empower industry players for enhanced efficiency and sustainability in production and distribution. This collaboration underscores the importance of uniting all stakeholders, from suppliers to governments to customers, competitors, and society in general in achieving shared objectives. Leveraging advanced tools for project management and data tracking further amplifies this collaboration, ensuring seamless coordination and optimization of resources,” said Manfred Borer, CEO and Co-Founder of KOLTIVA.  

MR Academy, an award-winning coaching group offering diverse entrepreneur empowerment courses, has empowered 12 Malaysian retailers through a collaborative programme with Ai FM – Qi Cheng. The programme concluded successfully with an award ceremony to honour the participating small medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) that pushed boundaries and embarked on inspiring transforming journeys. This ambitious 12 weeks programme, which began in April 2024, saw 12 different small-micro retailers undergo a comprehensive mentoring regimen focused on building tangible business operations and enhancing retail management. Participants from various retail sectors, including sports essentials, bakery, hardware, stationery, gold stores, etc., received focused guidance and hands-on business advice. The programme was designed to equip participants with survival strategies and ways to thrive in a competitive marketplace by leveraging technological innovation and strategic thinking.   Marcus Chew, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MR Academy, as well as the programme’s mentor with  expertise in retail management and digital transformation , said, “We observed that physical retail stores still play pivotal roles in the value chain, especially since some Malaysians still prefer to shop in-store. It is critical for these retailers to stay ahead of the curve by understanding consumer behaviour and retail management to preserve business agility as we move into an era of convergence between traditional and online shopping.”   Chew commended the participants,  “I’m grateful to collaborate with Ai FM to support these 12 retailers on their business transformation journey, facilitating their growth, learning, and pursuit of excellent business performance. Their journey stands as a testament to the transformative potential of digital innovation in bringing about significant change among their business colleagues. We at MR Academy are proud of the commitment and successful outcomes demonstrated by these tenacious retailers, strengthening our position to  mentor  more business players in the future.”   To earmark the conclusion of the programme,  an award ceremony was held, The  12 retailers shared their transformative experiences and the impact of MR Academy’s training on their business growth. Among the 12 retail business participants, three winning teams and their businesses won the following awards:   Most Potential Retailer Award: How Ban Hong Enterprise How Ban Hong Enterprise is a well-established hardware business based in Jasin, Melaka, founded in 1995. The company managed to overcome issues of overstocking, customer loyalty, and a lack of talent well-versed in the hardware industry. Full story can be viewed here. Most Outstanding Retailer Award: Bake Well Supplies Sdn Bhd Established in 2002, Bake Well Supplies Sdn Bhd is a supplier based in Batu Caves, Selangor, providing a variety of baking ingredients and utensils. The company managed to solve their challenges related to expanding more physical stores and retail management. Full story can be viewed here. Most Popular Retailer Award: Trendy Cafe and Bakery Established in 2011 and located in Kepong Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Trendy Cafe and Bakery commited to bringing the best of traditional Chinese bakery and Taiwanese cake concepts. The company overcome the issue of seating arrangement and achieved to attract more customers.   Full story can be viewed here.   The Most Potential Retailer, Riven Hau, owner of How Ban Hong Enterprise had one of the most noteworthy stories.  This 28 years old of woman entrepreneur was able to grow her loyalty customer pool to 40%, as she improved the membership strategy through the programme. “The knowledge and support obtained from MR Academy were invaluable,” said Hau. “It has completely transformed the way we conduct business and enhanced our operations.”   Partnering with Ai FM, Qi Cheng was able to share  a wealth of knowledge and expertise, providing participants with insights into market trends, digital transformation, and customer engagement strategies. The programme’s holistic approach ensured that retailers were well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern marketplace.   The retailers demonstrated extraordinary commitment to solving common challenges in the retail industry. Their inspirational journeys left a lasting impression and underscored the critical support needed to assist businesses in Malaysia.   Through the success of these companies, MR Academy hopes to spur growth and innovation among other businesses in Malaysia. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation, MR Academy is dedicated to assisting a more resilient retail sector that can withstand economic fluctuations and navigate market disruptions to achieve sustainable growth.

In every way, Tan Kah Poh was an ordinary man. He held a steady job for over 35 years; he planned for his finances and being single, he doted on his nieces and nephews showering them generously with gifts. Yet, one trait sets him apart. He believed fervently in being kind and that a life well-lived is one that improves the lives of others. Therefore, it is not surprising that when he died at the relatively young age of 67, he donated 50% of his assets to Sau Seng Lum Dialysis & Stroke Rehabilitation Centre. “Being single, my brother had always believed in giving back. In fact, he had wanted to donate his body to the Silent Mentor programme so that future doctors can benefit from his body. He died before he could submit the papers. Therefore, we are very pleased that, at least, his wish to donate half of his assets can be carried out,” said his sister, who does not want to be named. According to his sister, Kah Poh had chosen to donate to a dialysis centre after hearing from his mother about the plight and challenges faced by patients. He had wanted to support a centre that is independent and well-administered. The donation presentation was arranged by Rockwills Trustee Bhd, the executor of Kah Poh’s will.  Mr Wong Peng Wah, Vice President of Sau Seng Lum Dialysis & Stroke Rehabilitation Centre, received the donation of RM261,043 from Ms Lee Shet Mei, CEO of Rockwills Trustee Bhd. Also present were Kah Poh’s sisters. “The late Mr Tan’s generosity and selflessness were not confined to his immediate family but extended far beyond”, said Rockwills Trustee CEO, Lee Shet Mei. “This noble act reflects Mr. Tan’s empathy and desire to make a meaningful impact on society. At Rockwills Trustee Berhad, our motto is “making your wishes come true,” and we are proud to have played a part in ensuring Mr. Tan’s wishes were fulfilled.” Rockwills had in 2008, set up a “Will for Charity” panel in which the company forges a strategic alliance arrangement with charities to be listed for testators to select to will any portion of their estate. According to Wong Peng Wah, Vice President of Sau Seng Lum (SSL) Dialysis & Stroke Rehabilitation Centre, Kah Poh’s generosity will enable patients to continue to benefit from affordable dialysis treatment and give them a chance to extend their lives. “Typically, a dialysis patient spends between RM5,000 to RM6,000 a month on treatment.  This is not sustainable for many. At SSL Dialysis Centre, we charge them RM10 per treatment. Of course, they must meet certain criteria before being eligible for treatment with us,” explained Wong. Wong revealed that Kah Poh’s donation will be used to fix, replace, and upgrade equipment for the benefit of its patients.  The Centre treats 150 patients daily. Rockwills (L) Foundation Established to Support Education, Healthcare, and Welfare Rockwills International Berhad has established the Rockwills (L) Foundation under the Labuan Foundations Act 2010 which is aimed at helping beneficiaries who are employees or licensed Rockwills Estate Planners for the following: Education: Providing financial assistance for tertiary education. Healthcare: Offering support for medical attention, rehabilitation, and disability aids. Welfare and Recovery: Assisting families affected by natural disasters such as floods and fires. Rockwills International Berhad is committed to making a positive impact through the Rockwills (L) Foundation, enhancing the lives of its beneficiaries and contributing to the community’s well-being.