KUCHING: The Sarawakku Sayang Agro Sales initiative is continuing to expand across Sarawak to help the public obtain fresh food supplies at lower prices, especially ahead of the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations.

Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak (MFICORD) Sayed Ismail Wan Hashim said the programme is being carried out through collaboration between the ministry and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) to support consumers as well as food industry entrepreneurs.

“The programme began in April and has so far been held at 11 locations throughout Sarawak.

“We are working together to offer fresh produce to the community, especially at a time when the cost of living continues to rise.

“Besides helping consumers obtain goods at lower prices, the initiative also supports hawkers and entrepreneurs within the food industry,” he said.

He said this when met after officiating at the launch of the programme at the grounds of Baitulmakmur Building on Friday.

According to Sayed Ismail, the sales programme will continue at several other locations, including Kampung Boyan-Gersik and Medan Satok this weekend.

He revealed that as of April, the programme had recorded sales amounting to approximately RM266,000 involving 67 local entrepreneurs.

“We want to assist entrepreneurs guided by FAMA, as the agency has an extensive network throughout Sarawak, particularly in tamu areas.

“Beyond fresh agricultural produce, we are also promoting products by local entrepreneurs under FAMA, thereby strengthening the overall supply chain,” he added.

He said a total of 40 sales sessions have been planned for this year, with 11 already carried out so far.

Meanwhile, FAMA Sarawak Director Norsalawaty Abdul Kadir said through the M-FICORD initiative, FAMA is offering discounts of at least 10 per cent on various essential goods.

“Although chicken prices in the market can reach RM13 per kilogramme, today we are selling them for as low as RM8 each.

“Eggs are also being sold at RM12 per tray compared with the market price of around RM17,” she said.

She added that besides fresh items such as chicken and eggs, agricultural produce is also brought directly from farms to the sales locations to ensure the public has access to quality supplies at reasonable prices. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Nur Nabilla
Photo: Nur Nabilla
Translator: Suhaila AW