The Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry will rebrand the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) to ensure that farmers can reap full benefits from the organisation.

Minister Noh Omar said that through the rebranding exercise, which will take place next year, Fama will not only market farm produce but also assist in increasing the income of farmers.  

“We want to ensure that Fama can really play its role as a marketing agent. It will be a bridge between the farmers and entrepreneurs and consumers,” he said after opening the Semporna 1Malaysia community programme and the 2011 Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day in Semporna last night.

“Fama will buy directly from farmers, without wholesalers or middlemen in between, and sell to the consumers,” he said.

As a result consumers will gain from cheaper products, Noh explained.

In line with the rebranding, the ministry will expand the role of the 1Malaysia People’s Shops and farm produce collection centres to make it easier for farmers to market their products, said Noh.

He noted, however, that Fama in Sabah and Sarawak may need to be restructured first so that the rebranding could be carried out more effectively due to the vastness of the states.  

On a different matter, Noh said the fishing villages to be established nationwide would have the necessary facilities for downstream seafood industries.    

He said the project will be implemented by the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia in collaboration with all state governments which will identify suitable locations.  

The project, to be funded with the RM300-million allocation announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the 2012 Budget, aims to assist fishermen supplement their income, he said.

 

- Bernama