Putrajaya: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for enhanced cooperation among agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to effectively address and resolve the challenges faced by farmers and fishermen.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized that the issues affecting these groups require a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies. He noted that solutions to farmers' problems are not limited to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) but also involve the Department of Agriculture, the Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP), and other relevant bodies.
Anwar made these remarks during the 40th National Farmers' Market anniversary and the launch of the Putrajaya Farmers' Market at Precinct 4. He urged KPKM and its agencies to adopt innovative strategies to boost agricultural production and marketing efforts. Highlighting successful initiatives, he mentioned the onion cultivation project to meet domestic demand and the prosperous durian export market generating substantial revenue.
The Prime Minister encouraged Malaysians to engage in small-scale farming at home to cut household expenses and reduce dependence on commercial produce. He assured government support through the provision of seeds, technical guidance, and training, emphasizing that the initiative must begin with the public.
Reflecting on the origin of farmers' markets, Anwar recalled creating the concept during his tenure as the Minister of Agriculture to address farmers' struggles with middlemen. Initially, agricultural products were sold out at these markets due to reduced prices, facilitated by FAMA's transportation and the Ministry of Agriculture's provision of sale locations.
The Prime Minister noted the expansion of farmers' markets to 229 locations nationwide, involving 5,618 entrepreneurs. He expressed satisfaction with the initiative's success, highlighting that it was not just theoretical but demonstrated through practical implementation, benefiting farmers, FAMA officers, and buyers alike.