I understand the concept of farmers' market (Pasar Tani) was created by the Ministry of Agriculture to resolve the problems faced by farmers at the time who had to deal with middlemen, resulting in the sales not being worth it. In those days, agricultural products brought by the farmers were always sold out because the prices were cheaper as the transportation costs were borne by Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) in collaboration with Farmers Organization Authority (LPP). What FAMA & LPP are doing is important in ensuring prices of agricultural produces are guaranteed for marketing. (www.kpkm.gov.my)
As such, FAMA under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the marketing of agro-food products such as vegetables, fruits and floriculture as well as agro-based industry products. To perform this role, FAMA has intensified efforts to increase efficiency along the marketing chain. As such, farmers' markets began to be expanded and to date 229 locations have been established nationwide with the participation of 5,618 entrepreneurs. (www.fama.gov.my)
In Putrajaya, the government encouraged Malaysians to make use of available land at their housing areas for small-scale farming as a way to reduce their household expenses and to market the excess produces and output by ensuring fair prices at Putrajaya Farmers' Market. In fact, the government is ready to support these efforts through the provision of seeds, technical guidance and training. Putrajaya community supported this initiative and I still remember during the COVID-19 pandemic, we organized collectively & grew pineapples, bananas, papayas, and all kind of vegetables at our community compound. (www.ppj.gov.my)
For sustainability, I've encouraged my children & grandkids to love urban farming, make it hands-on, fun, and relevant by starting small with easy plants, letting them sweat out, connecting it to food they eat. I involved them in the whole cycle, from planting seeds to harvesting, turning learning into business.
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