JOHOR BARU – The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) plans to add 10 more controlled fresh markets (PSTs) and 14 farmers’ markets in states that have entered Phase 2 of movement control under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah said this is to ensure the continuity of the country’s food supply chain and, at the same time, help 2,595 farmers market their agricultural produce.
“The additional PSTs and farmers’ markets are expected to start operations soon,” he told a press conference at the Johor Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) office here today.
PSTs and famers’ markets are only allowed to operate in states that have transitioned into NRP Phase 2.
Only PSTs are given the permission to operate in states that are still in NRP Phase 1.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said a total of 300 recipients comprising staff and children under Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-anak Yatim as well as several welfare homes in the city today received food aid containing agricultural produce such as vegetables and fruits through the Mafi Prihatin programme, held in collaboration with Koperasi Pemasar Fama Johor Bhd.
To date, he said the Mafi Prihatin programme has benefited 22,774 recipients comprising frontliners, welfare homes and non-governmental organisations in 89 locations nationwide, with a total of 38.61 tonnes of agricultural produce and food products distributed.
“The programme was launched to help the government deliver aid to those in need, especially those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. – Bernama, July 10, 2021
