KUALA LUMPUR – The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) has assured that there is a sufficient supply of essential items for the festive season and other foodstuffs marketed under the Aidilfitri 2021 farmers’ market programme nationwide.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said in a statement that 85 marketing outlets for the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) were involved in the programme, comprising 59 farmers’ markets, 23 permanent farmers’ markets, and three MyFarm outlets set to conclude tomorrow.
He said the government’s decision to give operating permission to Fama marketing outlets such as the Aidilfitri farmers’ market was to ensure that consumers continue to receive fresh supplies in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration.
“This programme aims to provide platforms for entrepreneurs to market their agricultural products during the Aidilfitri celebration.”
At the same time, he said, Fama would also continue to ensure that each of its marketing outlets complied with the standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry and the National Security Council to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Kiandee said between January and April this year, a total of 307 farmers’ markets involving 12,843 entrepreneurs were operating nationwide, recording a sales value of RM87,513,688.
“Overall, farmers’ market traders used cashless transaction services such as Maybank QRPay, Touch ‘n Go, GrabPay, and Boost in transactions.
“A total of 30% or 90 out of 302 farmers’ market locations, involving 61% or 9,098 out of 12,843 entrepreneurs, have used these services,” he said. – Bernama, May 11, 2021