More bazaars for rural areas

Ishak (right) and Mohammad Faiz signing on the board to mark the opening of Bazar Peduli Rakyat’ at Kampung Pelet, Permatang Pasir, near Bukit Mertajam.

THE Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will hold the Bazar Peduli Rakyat at 60 locations in Penang state this year.

Fama chairman Ishak Ismail said the bazaar would be located in the state constituencies, mostly in the rural areas, and would later be expanded nationwide.

“The bazaar will be held on the first Friday of each month and we hope to attract about one million people this year.

“We also hope the event will record targeted sales of RM16mil,” he told reporters after opening the Bazar Peduli Rakyat at Kampung Pelet, Permatang Pasir, near Bukit Mertajam recently.

Ishak said the products at the bazaar would be sourced directly from farms and fish landing spots to ensure freshness.

The prices would be five to 20% cheaper than those sold at the wet markets.

He also said that Fama would collaborate with the Malaysia Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and other agencies to organise the bazaar all over the country.

LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, who is also Permatang Pasir assemblyman, opened the event.

Also present were Penang Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin, Fama director-general Datuk Ahmad Ishak, LKIM director-general Jamaluddin Othman, Penang Fama director Habibah Sulaiman, Penang LKIM director Nik Rashid Nik Jusoh and Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) director Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla.

Ishak also took the opportunity to urge farmers and small-time business operators who were interested in participating in the bazaar to register at the nearest Fama office.

“They must be able to sell their products at a reasonable price. We have a selection process and if they have their own farm, it will be a plus point and we will consider it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Afif said there was a proposal to work with Fama to open up a one-stop centre at the Seberang Jaya Expo centre to sell agricultural products and related food products for the public.

“Since the expo is strategically located along the North-South Expressway, it would be convenient for the people travelling north to stop and buy the products.

“We are waiting for Fama and after we settle the planning; and if we can obtain the budget this year, we will open it this year or early next year,” he said.