The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry's fight against middlemen has shown positive results when the awareness level among farmers, breeders and fishermen increased to 15 percent.

 

Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was proven when more and more farmers, breeders and fishermen decided to sell their harvest directly to the Farmers' Organisation, and thus, enjoyed better income.

 

"We vow to fight and eradicate the roles of middlemen. This is not easy because they had become a culture. That's why we must continue fighting."

 

He said this to reporters after opening the Area Farmers' Organisation's agro-product collection centre at the Permanent Food Production Park in Jalan Apas, Tawau today.

 

Also present was Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, who is also Tawau Agriculture Development Council chairman.

 

Earlier in his speech, Ismail Sabri said 200 agro-product collection centres, which would be set up nationwide this year, would definitely help the ministry in the fight against middlemen.

 

He said at each centre, 40,000 farmers, breeders and fishermen would be involved in producing 62,400 tonnes of agro-products with sales of up to RM250 million.

 

"The centre provides direct crop collection service which will enable the farmers, breeders and fishermen to enjoy extra income of between 10 and 20 percent, while the consumers can save their money also by 10 to 20 percent," he added.

 

- Bernama