Fama to import 2 million coconuts for Ramadan

ALOR STAR: The Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) is importing additional coconuts from Indonesia to meet the higher demand during Ramadan, which starts on Saturday.

Its director-general, Datuk Ahmad Ishak, said Fama was currently importing about one million coconuts from Indonesia and the supply would be increased to two million during Ramadan and the Aidilfitri festive season.

He said the supply of essential items such as chillies, vegetables, chicken and beef were adequate for the fasting month and the festive season.

“Retailers and traders facing a shortage in supply are encouraged to contact the Fama office to arrange for delivery.

“We will ensure there is ample supply to prevent the prices of essential items from increasing,” he said after launching the PreRamadan My Best Buy programme at the Community and Caravan Market in Jalan Kuala Kedah here, yesterday.

Ahmad said Fama was setting up 20 more MyFarm outlets to help consumers buy essential items at cheaper prices.

He said the move was meant to ensure that essential items were easily obtained.

Fama set up 11 MyFarm outlets last year, among others in Precint 7 in Putrajaya, Seri Manjung, Perak, and the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Kelantan.

“Following the overwhelming response from consumers, we will add 20 more MyFarm outlets this year.”

The MyFarm Outlet initiative nationwide was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in January last year.