KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Bernama) -- The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) today launched the FAMA Ramadan Tour programme in collaboration with Bank Rakyat for the second year to donate food kits to asnaf groups across the country in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.

Acting FAMA director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri said through the collaboration, Bank Rakyat will channel donations amounting to RM600,000 in the form of food kits to nearly 4,000 hardcore poor.

"This Ramadan tour is a concept that we introduced where we go to the ground to help people in need during the month of Ramadan.

"This year, we are very pleased with the cooperation framework of Bank Rakyat and will further expand the cooperation through several more programmes that will be implemented soon," he told reporters after the launch ceremony at the FAMA Building near here.

Also present was Bank Rakyat's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Nizam Sani.

Abdul Rashid added that each location of the Ramadan Tour will also have FAMA and Bank Rakyat service delivery to facilitate the local community's understanding of the roles and tasks performed in meeting the needs of stakeholders.

"A programme like this is a two-pronged initiative where not only can we bring the agency closer to the programme location, but we can also invite other parties who also want to contribute," he said.

He also said that the Syawal Madani Special Sale programme by FAMA will be officiated at the FAMA farmer's market in Kelana Jaya by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu on April 15.

He said the programme, being held simultaneously at 103 farmer's markets across the country, would focus on the sale of items needed to prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri such as meat, chicken, vegetables and other related items.

"We are targeting sales worth RM12.5 million for the period from April 15 to 20, so for consumers who are facing Hari Raya supply issues, we hope they go to the nearby FAMA farmer's market," he said.

-- BERNAMA