Beluran tamu to be upgraded next May
BELURAN: The upgrading of the district’s tamu is expected to be completed by the middle of May next year.
Agriculture and Food Industry Minister (MAFI) Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the project is a collaboration between the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) involving an allocation of RM746,000 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“Continued efforts by FAMA in transforming the stalls in the tamu will benefit 170 existing individuals who are doing business there.
We hope that it can provide comfort to visitors in this district as well as help small entrepreneurs to market their own produce.
“Once the upgrade is completed, the administration of the tamu will be handed over to the Beluran District Council,” he said aGer a working visit to the tamu project on October 17.
Dr Ronald disclosed that two other tamus in the state, the one in Sook and the other in Kudat are still under construction and expected to be completed in March 2022.
He added that FAMA had also identified the Tuaran tamu for upgrading in 2022.
According to him, the tamu upgrading projects were part of a program to strengthen the weekly market’s retail network in Sabah and Sarawak with the aim of transforming the tamu without losing its unique identity.
During the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), MAFI through FAMA allocated RM9.5 million to develop the tamu retail network strengthening program in Sabah and Sarawak starting in 2016.
“As of September 2021, nine tamus have been upgraded, four are now operational while the remaining five, including the Beluran tamu are still under construction,” he said.
The development of the tamu is part of FAMA’s function in strengthening the marketing of agricultural products through the development of permanent marketing outlets to facilitate dealings between entrepreneurs and visitors as well as local authorities.
The development of such permanent marketing outlets by FAMA is important and its effectiveness can also be seen during the implementation period of the Movement Control Order where these outlets have been allowed to operate as ‘Pasar Segar Terkawal’ according to SOPs set by the National Security Council to ensure continuity of supply and efficient distribution of food in the country.
According to Dr Ronald, so far 208 of the 312 Farmers’ Markets nationwide have started operating and the rest will be implemented in stages until the end of this year.
He said that the re-opening of all Farmers’ Markets throughout the country will benefit more than 9,000 entrepreneurs who are expected to be able to generate sales value of up to RM110 million as well as provide opportunities for 2.5 million customers to obtain the agro -food products offered.
Earlier, Dr Ronald presented the MAFI Prihatin contribution to 500 residents on Pulau Kaniogan Beluran, Pulau Bukit Besi and Pulau Ketabuan, who were all affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In total, from January to October 10, 2021, a total of 119,023 individuals have received contributions through the MAFI Prihatin Program.
in more than 550 locations nationwide involving 10 departments and agencies under MAFI with an assistance value of more than RM6 million.
Meanwhile, in Sabah alone, the implementation of MAFI Prihatin through FAMA has benefited 1,113 people in seven locations throughout the state with a total assistance value of RM 81,000.