KUCHING: The Sarawak Farmers Organisation (SFO) and the Federal Agriculture Marketing Board (Fama) have been of tremendous help to farmers statewide in selling their produce during the movement control order (MCO) period.
Both organisations, through their respective units at district level, had helped to collect the produce, transporting them to markets subsequently generating income for the farmers.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said such efforts had benefitted consumers too, and had ensured the food chain supply remains intake during this crisis.
He said SFO had, from April 6 to 16, bought a total of 13,462kg of vegetables and 88,182kg of fruits from farmers.
“These were done by its 17 area units at various districts. They had paid RM36,984.63 for the vegetables and RM57,321.59 for the fruits.
“Similarly, Fama too had done its part. During the same period, it had bought 1,425kg of vegetables for RM3,342.30. It had also bought 19,979.5kg of fruits for RM40,884,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Uggah said the two organisations would continue to help farmers, and he urged them to approach their nearest agriculture or Fama offices if they had problems selling.
Uggah, in a recent statement, said the state government, through the Agriculture Department, had given RM1.5mil to SFO to buy produce from farmers through the respective area farmers organisations statewide.
Farmers selling pineapples and citrus fruits to Fama representatives in Sungai Ilas, Meradong in Sarikei. 
Bau area farmers organisation officers buying 229kg of MD2 type pineapples from a farmer.
“In addition, a sum of RM200,000 had been allocated to Fama offices statewide to buy produce and to organise the Pasar Tani,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development, added that for fishermen, the government had allocated RM600,000 to the Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia to buy their catch.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development permanent secretary described the two organisations as essential frontliners in helping the community in a crisis.
“This network of services across the supply chain, which includes Fama, is something we should be proud of,” said Edwin Abit.
