Daily open air markets to be set up in Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is introducing Pasar Komuniti, an open air market similar to Pasar Tani but one that opens daily to market agricultural produce.

FAMA chairman Datuk Paduka Badruddin Amiruldin said 20 such new concept markets will be opened at strategic locations nationwide, including two in Sabah.

“It is meant for complementing the existing Pasar Tani programme with the provision of a more permanent facility for farmers to market their products on a daily basis,” he said.

“Two sites for Sabah, one each in Kota Belud and Keningau, have been identified. Both have been approved by the State Government and we are looking to have these markets start operation by November or December,” he told reporters when met during a FAMA gathering with Pasar Tani participants and committee members here yesterday.

He said the 20 identified sites for the markets were just for a start and FAMA would expand the programme to other districts in stages, based on current needs.

The new markets, he said, will accommodate an average of 100 participants each.

“This will provide a venue for vendors currently selling their products in the streets, so that they can be placed at a more secure site that is easier for buyers to visit,” he said, adding that the agency will spend up to RM3 million on setting up each of the market.

Earlier, Badruddin paid a courtesy visit on Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor to discuss the potential in further improving the collaboration between FAMA and the ministry.

Badruddin, who was scheduled to visit the proposed Pasar Komuniti sites in Kota Belud and Keningau today, said Hajiji was very supportive of the idea to improve local produce markets in Sabah.

He said further meetings will be held to synchronize the efforts between the two agencies to ensure optimal impact can be achieve towards increasing the income of vendors at open markets across the state.

“If everything goes well, the Pasar Komuniti would be able to significantly increase the sales and income of the vendors selling agricultural products, at least by 20 percent.

On related development, Badruddin said FAMA was actively implementing a number of programmes to help small farmers and villagers market their agricultural products.

Among them were Community Agrobazar Store, Tricycle Agro Entrepreneurs and Fresh Fruit Stalls which were introduced last year.

“We will slowly expand this programme to involve more participants from more districts. We believe it will help increase agricultural product output and address some of the logistic issues faced by small farmers in rural areas.

“Market prices fluctuate due to inconsistent supply. So, by increasing the output this programme will also help stabilize the prices,” he said.

Badruddin said there are currently 19 traders participating in the Fresh Fruit Stalls programme in Sabah, with combined sales of over RM2 million between Jan and April.

For the Community Agrobazar Store, there are nine participants with RM400,639 in combined sales for the same period, while the Tricycle Entrepreneurs has two active operators with a combined operating capital of over RM18,000.

At the gathering, Badruddin presented excellence awards to seven Pasar Tani participants and announced Kota Marudu as the best Pasar Tani in the state.