Pasar Tani to help keep food supply chain moving – Junz

KOTA KINABALU: Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Junz Wong has brought the plight of Sabahans to Putrajaya’s attention via a teleconference on Monday.

According to Junz, this was the first nationwide meeting chaired by his newly appointed Federal counterpart, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

“We had a fruitful discussion where I raised the need for Sabah to be able to resume FAMA Pasar Tani operations statewide. And this Pasar Tani will be operated under strict procedures to avoid the spread of Covid-19 at the same time maintain food security and sustain the food supply chain, especially in districts like Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Keningau, Ranau, Tuaran, Putatan, Tenom, Kota Marudu etc. The Pasar Tani will function as a centre for produce to be sold by farmers and purchased by consumers.”

He further said, “We have to look at food security and continuity holistically. Small time farmers and breeders sell their produce periodically. If they are forced to close shop and do not survive this cycle, there won’t be a second cycle because many of them won’t be able to restart. So we need to plan ahead by helping farmers and breeders in case the Movement Control Order (MCO) is extended.”

Junz said, “MAFI who has the list of farmers and breeders can work together with FAMA to collect and sell these produce. Produce throughout Sabah can then be picked up, placed at the Pasar Tani and then marketed to end consumers.

This exercise will drastically reduce unnecessary movements as we are using only FAMA’s outfit under strict Covid-19 precautionary supervision.”

He added there was also a need for Sabah to procure its own essentials and Ronald lauded the idea.

“At this moment in time, Putrajaya needs to delegate to Sabah as we can better manage ourselves. I relayed this to Dr Ronald and he will consider it.”

“Through experience, buying face masks for example, we were made to wait for a long time and some face masks are still stuck in Peninsular Malaysia due to logistics problems. Meanwhile, similar face masks ordered directly from China have arrived.”

“So I see the need for Sabah to manage its own stockpile of essentials like rice, fertilizer and animal feed, especially during the MCO.

These essentials are vital to ensure continuous production of vegetables and animals that we eat as food eventually.”

Also during the meeting, it was agreed that traditional fishermen should be allowed to resume daily activities as the Federal Minister will liaise with the National Security Council to not restrict traditional fishermen’s activities during the MCO.

Junz assured Sabahans that his ministry would be working closely with Putrajaya to assist farmers, planters and breeders.

“Be rest assured, Dr Ronald and myself will work together to help keep businesses afloat, especially those in the agriculture sector like poultry, chicken, cattle, swine, goat. We are also committed to ensure the continuity of food supply chain for Sabahans.”

“So there is no need to panic. We have sufficient food and we are planning ahead.”

Together at the teleconference were Dr Mariana Tinggal, Sabah MAFI permanent secretary; Rakam Sijim, political secretary to Sabah MAFI Minister, heads of Department and key officers of Sabah MAFI.