British American Tobacco Malaysia - BAT Malaysia’s “Beyond Benih” programme recognised as strategic partner by Department of Agriculture and Food Security

Kuala Lumpur, 29 March 2024 – The Department of Agriculture has recognised British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad’s (BAT Malaysia) community farm garden programme, “Beyond Benih” as a strategic partner in its efforts to ensure food security for Malaysia.

This acknowledgment was formalised during a certificate presentation by YB Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Malaysia, held in conjunction with the closing ceremony of the Central Zone MADANI Rakyat programme.

Following the ceremony, Fairuz Helmi, External Affairs Director of BAT Malaysia said, “We are honored to be recognised as a strategic partner by the Department of Agriculture. This acknowledgment reaffirms our dedication to making a meaningful contribution towards ensuring food security in Malaysia in line with our purpose of building A Better Tomorrow™. We remain steadfast in our goal to expand Beyond Benih, our community farm garden programme across the nation, with the aim of creating independent, prosperous, and environmentally friendly communities.”

YBhg. Dato' Nor Sam binti Alwi, Director General of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture commended BAT Malaysia's efforts in driving impactful change within local communities. "BAT Malaysia's community farm garden programme aligns closely with our vision of creating sustainable food systems and enhancing agricultural productivity. We applaud their commitment and look forward to further collaboration to address the challenges of food security in Malaysia."

Currently, BAT Malaysia has launched 12 community farm gardens where communities grow their own produce following good agriculture practices. The harvest is then sold at a lower cost to communities in the area, and funds raised are injected back into the garden, while also remunerating resident volunteers. Through the programme, BAT Malaysia intends to transform the lives of over 250,000 beneficiaries by 2026.