PUTRAJAYA: Traders of the Agro MADANI Sales Programme under the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) here want the business concept to continue as it has a win-win impact on both traders and customers.
Vegetable trader Puteri Nur Atiqah Azlan, 25, said since making it a full-time career in 2020, she is very satisfied with the momentum of income that has increased by 80 percent through the Agro MADANI Sales Programme she joined since last August.
“Before this, during the Movement Control Order (MCO), our business suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since joining the Agro MADANI Sales Programme, our average daily sales in this programme has increased, ranging between RM500 and RM600.
“Vegetables are sold out every day, so the next day we will sell fresh vegetables, especially those we pick from our own farms, such as spinach, water spinach, mustard greens, and cucumbers,“ said the young entrepreneur, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry graduate from the Universiti Malaya, to Bernama at the programme site at the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) area.
Cut fruit seller Kamal Salleh, 42, described the programme as the best platform for small traders like him to market their products to support their families with an average daily income ranging between RM700 and RM800.
“I have been selling cut fruits by the roadside for six years, but when I found out about this programme last year, I immediately joined. In a week, I trade in three locations, namely Tuesday at MOH (Ministry of Health), Wednesday at KKDW, and Thursday at Ministry of Home Affairs,“ said the Selangor native.
Based on the response trend from customers, Kamal hopes that the programme that benefits small traders will continue because it is not only beneficial to sellers but also eagerly anticipated by customers.
“When customers come here, they will get what they want ,fresh products at reasonable prices. Like I sell cut fruits, I promise fresh and good quality products so that customers are satisfied and can buy at reasonable prices,“ he said.
Local beef seller Hilmi Yusof, 46, said the daily sales of his meat products have increased by 30 percent, with an average daily income ranging between RM700 and RM800 since joining the Agro MADANI Sales Programme.
“I joined this programme in the middle of this year, I am grateful because this is where small traders have the opportunity to increase income. This programme is also good for civil servants (in Putrajaya) because we can help them get daily necessities on working days,“ he said.
Hilmi said among the meat products offered are solid meat, ribs, tail, and mutton , brought from the farm under the supervision of the Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC).
“Usually, customers who come are repeat customers because they like the prices we offer and the quality products that are fresh,“ he said.
The Agro MADANI Sales Programme is a rebranding of the Direct Sales from the Farm (JTDL) Sales Programme organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) in strategic cooperation with agencies under KPKM, namely the Farmers’ Organisations Authority (LPP) and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM).
The initiative is aimed at helping people throughout the country to easily obtain fresh supplies at reasonable prices and save 10 to 30 percent compared to local market prices. – Bernama
