Revitalizing the Waqf Lands Through Agribusiness Activities

REVITALIZING THE WAQF LANDS THROUGH AGRIBUSINESS ACTIVITIES

 Research Team:

Dr Amirul Afif Muhamat (Project Leader)

Assoc. Prof. Dr Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi

Dr Mohamad Nizam Jaafar

Dr Irwan Ibrahim

Graduate Research Assistant: Puan Norfaridah Ali Azizan

Universiti: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore on the potential of the waqf lands to be rejuvenated for agribusiness activities. The latest study in 2018 informs that 87% of the waqf lands in Malaysia are considered as underutilized. Clearly, a pragmatic approach is required to address this issue. This study employed qualitative method by interviewing nine key informants who are experts in their fields. They have discussed several pertinent issues such as Shariah requirements, legal consideration, financial constraints, location and size of the waqf lands, expertise to develop the waqf lands, scope of agreement and party or company to lead the initiative. The limitations are also being highlighted in the study so that readers will be able to understand the whole discussion in the study. At the end of the study, two models have been proposed for agribusiness on the waqf lands which are the Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company Model and the Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company-Community Farmers Model which have been validated by the key informants.

Keywords: waqf, agribusiness, anchor, bequeather, lands