KUCHING, Oct 28: Sarawak State Farmers’ Organisation (PPNS) is working with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) to promote local farmers’ products in the international market as part of the government’s efforts to increase farmers’ income.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak government is trying to provide marketing infrastructure to improve the productivity of local farmers.
“This include how to move the whole supply chain. From the production line, processing, as well as the marketing.
“We have given the task to PPNS to design the mechanisms and system for this purpose, and I am confident that Fama, which already has outlets throughout the country, can help PPNS to build a marketing network not only in Sarawak and Malaysia, but directly abroad too.
“The most important thing is we must be able to market our products,” he told reporters after launching the ‘Jualan Terus Dari Ladang (JTDL) dan MyRakyat’ programme, held in Canaan Square in Stutong, today.
Uggah who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, pointed out that one of the Malaysian and Sarawak governments’ policies to find ways to increase the income of local farmers.
He added, the use of technology has helped improve their productivity and to come out with products with better quality at lower cost and which are able to compete with other products. Most importantly, technology also helps the product to reach intended markets.
“This also includes improving the productivity of local farmers who are involved in food producing sectors such as poultry farmers, fruit growers, fishermen and many others.
“We want to continue to help them by increasing productivity using the latest technology, and the Sarawak Department of Agriculture (DoA), will continue its efforts to modernise and transform the agriculture sectors in the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, during the event, Uggah also officially declared open the new Peladang eShop at Canaan Square.
The Peladang eShop serves as a collection centre and location for processing and packaging, storage and pick-up point for online ordering and at the same time sells and displays local farmers’ products for walk-in customers to purchase.
Also present were Fama director Dato Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli and Sarawak Agriculture director Dr Alvin Chai. – DayakDaily.
