From Eligibility to Entrepreneurial Readiness: Selecting Asnaf Participants for Agricultural Entrepreneurship Development in Malaysia

Participant selection is a critical decision in productive zakat programmes because eligibility as an asnaf does not necessarily indicate readiness to become an entrepreneur. This study identifies and explains the criteria used to select asnaf participants for agricultural entrepreneurship development programmes in Malaysia and proposes a screening framework that moves from eligibility to entrepreneurial readiness. A qualitative case-study approach was employed. The study involved 15 purposively selected informants with direct experience who provided information-rich evidence concerning participant selection. They comprised officers of Islamic religious and zakat institutions, an asnaf agropreneur, an Islamic banking officer and a representative of an agricultural agency. Secondary data were obtained from official zakat-institution documents, agricultural policies and government guidelines. Data were analysed through open coding, category development and thematic analysis using both inductive and deductive approaches, and the analytical findings were organised and presented in thematic analysis matrices. The findings show that asnaf status is the basic entry requirement, but effective participant selection requires assessment across seven major dimensions: verified asnaf eligibility and graduation potential, agricultural interest, physical health, time commitment, discipline, learning potential and entrepreneurial readiness. Family support strengthens continuity of participation, while access to land provides an advantage for post-programme continuity but is not an absolute requirement. The study proposes a two-stage screening model consisting of Shariah and socioeconomic eligibility screening followed by an assessment of suitability and entrepreneurial readiness. The findings extend productive-zakat discourse from the question of who is eligible for assistance to the question of who is most suitable for intensive, performance-oriented entrepreneurship interventions. Practically, zakat institutions should adopt a structured screening process to reduce participant attrition, resource wastage and repeated dependence on assistance.

asnaf; productive zakat; agricultural entrepreneurship; participant selection; entrepreneurial readiness

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