By Syarrizuan Abd Rashid



SHAH ALAM, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The pasar tani or farmers' market in Selangor under the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) have in total recorded sales of RM60 million as of September this year.

Assistant Director of Corporate Communications Fama Selangor, Mohamed Zharaubi Kafi said the sales figure was 71 percent of the total target of RM85 million for the whole of 2009.

He said the impressive sales was achieved through the continued efforts of the traders at the market to sell all the agricultural produce both the fresh produce and the processed products.

"The expansion is the result of the dedication of the traders at the market who use the business opportunity through Fama to both market and offer quality products as well as participate in the joint promotions carried out since early this year," Mohamed Zharaubi told Bernama here today.

Last year, the Fama backed pasar tani in Selangor recorded collective sales of RM77 million following the opening of several more markets in places where there was good demand and population.

Mohamed Zharaubi said several more new markets will be opened starting end of this month so that the sales target for this year can be achieved.

Among the places to have the markets will be Sungai Rambai, Banting which will have 60 traders and is expected to begin operations this October 23. Its operations time will be from 4pm to 10pm.

The Putra Heights pasar tani in Subang Jaya meanwhile will start operations on October 25 and the market here will operate from 7am till 1pm every Sunday involving 70 traders.

Another market will be opened in Prima Damansara, and this will operate every Sunday from 4pm to 10pm.

Mohamed Zharaubi said these markets will involve new traders comprising farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders and small and medium business operators.

He said Fama was also planning to open up four more farmers market by end of the year and their locations will be in Taman Selasih, Gombak; Pandan Jaya, Ampang; Bandar Liga Emas, Batang Kali and Bandar Baru Sungai Buaya, Rawang.

About 50 such markets under Fama currenly operate in Selangor.

--BERNAMA