PUTRAJAYA,  Feb 21  (Bernama) -- The government has secured 164,000 coconuts from Sabah and the Palembang Islands to ensure a sufficient supply ahead of Ramadan and Aidilfitri. 

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the supply from the Palembang Islands is scheduled to arrive in March.

“The Federal Agricultural Marketing Board (FAMA) is also aggressively activating its collection centres nationwide to collect coconuts to ensure continuous supply," he told reporters after launching the national-level “Semarak Ramadan 1446H Pasar Tani” programme here today.

The Semarak Ramadan program was held to strengthen food security and ensure the supply of quality agricultural produce at a reasonable price to consumers during Ramadan.

Isham said with more than 222 locations throughout the country, the farmers' markets play an important role in strengthening the agricultural marketing ecosystem and expanding consumer access to fresh agricultural products at affordable prices.

FAMA in a statement, said that since its introduction in 1985, the farmer's market has developed as the main platform for producers and farmers to market their products directly to consumers.

In conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the farmer's market last Jan 31, FAMA also continues to expand the farmer's market network with the target of opening 10 new locations and upgrading 47 existing locations this year.

"KPKM and FAMA hope that initiatives such as the Semarak Ramadan can help increase the income of agro-entrepreneurs as well as provide wider access to the community to obtain daily necessities at affordable prices,” it said.

-- BERNAMA