Upgrading into mega market

KUCHING: Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will upgrade 150 farmer’s markets into mega markets nation wide by year end.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said the upgrade will include providing canopies instead of umbrellas, and proper tables instead of makeshift tables or mats on the floor.

“Tourists, especially international ones, are interested in visiting the farmer’s market which is an attraction for them,” she said when declaring open the BGS (Boyan, Gersik, Sourabaya) Tourism Farmer’s Market at the BGS Waterfront yesterday.

The market is the first of its kind to sell farmer’s produce as well as local handicrafts.

It originally opened up 30 spaces for local entrepreneurs but this number was bumped up to 52 due to overwhelming response.

Rohani said Fama aims to open 100 more farmer’s market especially for unemployed graduates to give them an opportunity to earn a living while waiting for a full-time job.

“In Peninsular Malaysia, every farmer’s market sets aside 20 to 30 per cent of the market for graduates – whether employed or not,” she said.

Fama Sarawak is planning to open 10 more farmer’s market this year.

“Each market will need 50 participants. Seven areas have been identified including Demak Laut, Dalat, Igan, Unimas, Pakan, Tedungan, Tanjung Manis.”

Fama will also distribute produce farmers drop off at a special collection centre.

“The chief minister had asked that collection centres be set up for farmers not wanting to do the selling themselves. They can drop their produce at these collection centres and Fama will distribute them to fruit stalls or farmer’s markets,” said Rohani.

The BGS Tourism Farmer’s Market was set up as a platform for residents of nearby villages to market their produce.

Rohani visited the market and sampled the ware in the company of Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Fama state director Paza @ Faizal Dan.

Also present was Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri.