Gopeng: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is optimistic about the strong potential of wild bamboo shoots in the domestic market, following a pilot project in Muallim district launched last November that has seen promising consumer demand. FAMA chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said that in the year since the project’s launch, 15,583 kilogrammes of wild bamboo shoots have been marketed, generating RM46,749 in sales, highlighting the strong commercial potential of this forest produce.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aminuddin stated that FAMA collaborates closely with traditional Malay village communities and the Orang Asli to source wild bamboo shoots. FAMA handles the packaging and marketing, distributing the products through its outlets across the Muallim and Batang Padang districts. “Alhamdulillah, I believe the project has been met with a very positive response, and we are now looking to expand the market for these bamboo shoots on a larger scale, especially across the country,” he told Bernama after attending the FAMA Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony at the Gopeng Rural Transformation Centre.

Aminuddin noted that the strong demand for the product demonstrates its scalability without the need for dedicated plantations. The supply can be sourced directly from the forest, offering an opportunity for village communities and the Orang Asli to generate additional income with minimal capital investment.

He further mentioned that the success of the Muallim project serves as a model for FAMA to broaden the marketing of bamboo shoots and establish production clusters in states such as Pahang, Kedah, or Johor by early next year.