PLANNING AND JOURNALING THE AGROPOLITAN PROJECT: A FOCUS ON INCOME ANALYSIS FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

Although Malaysias poverty rate has decreased, there are still people who suffer from extreme poverty, especially in rural areas. The agropolitan project under the Rural Mega Leap Program (PLMLB) is a program aimed at eradicating extreme poverty and expediting progress in rural regions. The achievements of agropolitan projects are evaluated through the extent to which they help participants to get out of extreme poverty and are measured using Poverty Line Income (PGK). However, PGK only takes into account income and consumption and does not take into account non-monetary aspects such as living conditions, basic facilities and so on. Therefore, this research intends to examinethe effects of the implementationof this project on the participants in eradicating poverty and towards a sustainable livelihood. Multidimensional Poverty Index (IKPD) is used to measure poverty in this study along with its applicationof PGK. A study using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (KPL), was conducted at the Gahai Agropolitan Project in Lipis, Pahang, involved 45 participants. Research data was obtained through the distribution of questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 22 software and Microsoft Excel. Studies show that theproposed project is useful to eradicating poverty and contributing to sustainable livelihoods. Calculation of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (IKPD) shows that the individuals involved are not subjected to multidimensional poverty.In addition, the participants are also exempted from extreme poverty and experience increased income within five years of participating in the Gahai Agropolitan Project. From the aspect of sustainable living, the results of the study show that the participants experience high vulnerability. Analysis of asset ownership shows that the participants of theAgropolitan Project have good asset ownership. Analysis of the regression model of income determinants for the participants demonstrate that financial assets are an important factor affecting income. According to the findings of this study, there are several recommendations for policy implications to evaluate participants or non-participants of agropolitan projects, which is to consider the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (KPL) in rural development and use the Multidimensional Poverty Index (IKPD) as a complement to the PGK.