Yahya checking the price list of a poultry vendor at the Pasar Tani.
KOTA KINABALU: The ‘Pasar Tani’ (Farmers’ Market) area in Asia City will be converted into a permanent one, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin announced yesterday.
According to him, the area where the three times weekly Pasar Tani is held will be roofed up and equipped with infrastructure such as electricity and water supply.
The Agriculture and Food Industry Minister disclosed that the project, which will be implemented by Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), is expected to cost RM2 million.
“Once completed, it will provide a more comfortable place of business for the farmers and the consumers,” he said when met at the Pasar Tani in Asia City where he visited to monitor the implementation of FAMA’s ‘Program Jualan Turun Harga’ yesterday.
Yahya said there are similar plans for permanent Farmers’ Markets in Keningau, Sandakan and Tawau.
By doing business at these permanent Pasar Tani, the farmers can market their products fresh from the farms, thus eliminating the service of middlemen, Yahya said, adding that this will ensure that the prices of the products remain low.
“By eliminating the middlemen, the products can be sold 20 per cent cheaper,” he said.
Meanwhile, State FAMA director Ribin Wahid said currently there are about 100 farmers and vendors doing business at the Pasar Tani in Asia City.
“With the permanent structure, we hope to be able to increase the number of business operators to 300,” he said, adding that FAMA encourages more youth entrepreneurs to use the facility once it is completed.
He also said that since the Pasar Tani is only till noon, FAMA is looking at allowing other businesses to operate in the area at night.
“If we can make this place vibrant with business at night, it can generate the income of the people here and also be a tourist attraction,” he stressed.