KENINGAU: The Government through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will implement two main programmes -- Strengthening of Malaysian Agrofood Production (PPAM) and the National Agrofood Network Programme (Rantai) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said, a total of RM112.2 million has been allocated for the PPAM project which emphasises productivity improvement, modern technology support and market expansion, including the purchase of agricultural produce, logistics management and storage infrastructure development.
A total of RM28.98 million has been allocated for the Rantai Programme which emphasises the development of Farm Collection Centres, strategic supply networks, agro contracts, as well as strengthening sustainable supply through collaboration with producers, suppliers and service providers.
“Through this measure, the effectiveness of supply management can be improved in addition to opening up more market opportunities,” he said when officiating the Fama Fest @ Sabah at Dataran Keningau.
Arthur is confident that with the implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy by Fama, local agricultural products will not only dominate the domestic market but also penetrate the Asean and global markets.
He said, the government through FAMA also continues to move forward in strengthening the country's agricultural produce marketing chain, in line with the aspirations of the 13MP.
The Pensiangan Member of Parliament said this effort will not only ensure food security, but also provide wider opportunities for farmers, breeders and agro-food entrepreneurs to enjoy a more stable and competitive market.
"In Sabah in particular, Fama has strengthened its logistics network by operating 16 commercial vehicles, three main Operation Centres in Tawau, Tenom and Kota Kinabalu, as well as seven cold storage rooms and a Distribution Hub.
"A total of 29 Farm Collection Centres (PPL) have also been established as centres for collecting agricultural produce before sending it to the market.
“This step ensures that fresh produce such as avocado, pomelo, Sabah bananas and coconuts can be marketed more efficiently throughout the country," he said.
Arthur said FAMA is also actively implementing direct purchase transactions, Forward Agreement (FA) mechanisms and Contract Farming Programmes. For example, in 2024 alone, 532 metric tonnes of pomelo worth RM1.8 million were successfully marketed.
Meanwhile, he said, the Madani Agro Sales Programme (JAM) has directly benefited the people with prices of basic goods between 10 to 30 percent lower than the normal market.
He said that until August this year, Sabah had organised 40 JAM series with the participation of 629 entrepreneurs and a sales value of almost RM750,000.
He said that Sabah in particular has the potential to become Malaysia's main gateway to the regional market through its strong logistics, modern facilities and high-quality products.
Also present were FAMA Director General, Abdul Rashid Bahri, FAMA Deputy Director General, Puan Suraya Mohd Yusof, FAMA Sabah and Labuan Federal Territory, Sarman Sidno and District Officer, Peter Jonu.
