‘Branding dabai via Medan Niaga exchange’
KUCHING: Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek is mulling over getting Federal Agriculture Marketing Agency (Fama) to set up a dabai exchange centre at Medan Niaga Satok.
He said dabai, an olive being among the several unique Sarawakian produce, should be properly managed and marketed.
“People know Thailand for tomyam, Switzerland for chocolates, Australia for steak and so on. We need to find something so that people will know Sarawak by its food. Sarawak has much more than just Sarawak laksa and kolo mee.
“Dabai is an example of a unique Sarawakian produce. It has nutritional value, including antioxidants. However its prices range from RM15 to RM50, because when supply is too much, it is too much and it heavily depends on local demand.
“I will discuss with Fama on how to introduce dabai to a wider market, including to Peninsular Malaysia and even overseas,” he said in his speech at Medan Niaga Satok’s fourth anniversary celebration yesterday.
Ahmad Shabery further explained that with the proposed centre, when there is abundant supply, Fama will buy and keep it refrigerated, which can last up to two years.
He added that the proposed centre could act as a collection centre for the sake of logistics and other conveniences.
“Medan Niaga Satok is the best location for the centre for people to get information about dabai and find out more about its distribution. There is a need for a campaign in order to fulfill this idea,” he said.
Also present at the function were Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister and Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Works Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Dato Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, Fama Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Dato Paduka Badruddin Amiruldin, former DCM Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Fama Sarawak director Paza Dan.