AMENDMENTS to the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Act 1965 to enable the authority to manage the marketing of livestock commodities will be tabled in Parliament in July, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee. 

He said the amendments would also allow Fama to play an effective role in stabilising the supply of livestock commodities.

“At the moment, there is no specific agency tasked with livestock marketing activities,” he told a press conference after opening the national-level Semarak Syawal programme at Medan Niaga Satok today. 

Ronald said apart from this, Fama would also have a role in ensuring the local food supply chain is not disrupted. 

Fama is empowered by the Fama Act 1965 to supervise, coordinate, regulate and develop the marketing of Malaysian agricultural commodities except for pineapple, rubber, oil palm, padi, rice, tobacco and cocoa products. 

When asked about the supply of essential goods for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, Ronald said the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) will ensure that there would be no shortage. 

“Consumers will not have any problems buying essentials like meat, chicken, vegetables and coconuts as departments and agencies under Mafi have made early preparations to ensure continuity in supplies,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Fama director-general Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli said the Semarak Syawal programme will be held simultaneously at farmers’ markets throughout the country from today until May 2.

“This year, enterprises under Fama such as Agrobazaar and Kedai Rakyat are also participating in the programme to give consumers an opportunity to get their supplies throughout Aidilfitri,” he said. 

Mafi in a statement said 15,391 entrepreneurs are expected to generate sales totalling RM25 million through the 797 outlets provided in the Semarak Syawal programme. – Bernama, April 24, 2022.