Perak FAMA opens 20 temporary collection centres for seasonal fruits, expanding durian marketing and processing networks statewide.
GOPENG: The Perak Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) has established 20 temporary collection centers (PPS) for seasonal fruits across the state.
State FAMA Director Azleena Zainal Abidin said the centers were set up to facilitate the process of collecting, cleaning, grading, and marketing fruit produce, particularly for durians, which has now entered their peak season.
She added that FAMA has also expanded its durian marketing network through the Agro MADANI Sales Programme, Agrobazaars, sales at government offices, residential areas, and various strategic retail locations nationwide.
“This initiative allows consumers to obtain fresh, quality durians at reasonable prices, while helping entrepreneurs market their produce more quickly, systematically, and effectively.
“To overcome the surplus of produce and increase product value, the Perak State FAMA Operations Center has also taken the initiative to carry out durian paste processing activities as one of its marketing and value-added strategies,” she said.
She said this at the Mega Agro MADANI Sales Programme, which was officiated by the State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture, and Food Industry Committee Chairman, Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) Gopeng here today.
Commenting further, Azleena said the initiative provides an opportunity for smallholders to market “durian kampung” (village durians) that are difficult to sell in fresh form, while also reducing losses due to oversupply.
According to her, through this processing method, durians can be turned into high-quality paste that has a longer shelf life and has the potential to be marketed to the food processing industry, bakeries, desserts, as well as export markets.
Meanwhile, Azleena added that Perak FAMA successfully marketed 1,126 metric tonnes of durians, with sales value reaching RM3.38 million between June 9 and June 21.
She said this achievement proves the effectiveness of FAMA’s marketing network in ensuring local durian produce can be efficiently channeled to consumers, thereby reducing the dumping of produce at the farm level and ensuring operators get better returns.
“Perak State FAMA will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation with entrepreneurs, collectors, wholesalers, retailers, and related agencies to expand market access for local agricultural produce.
“When agricultural produce has broader, organised, and competitive market access, operators not only gain better returns, but consumers also get to enjoy a supply of fresh, quality products at reasonable prices,” she added.
