IPOH: The state government today launched the Perak Agro Prihatin Scheme (AgroPrihatin) to help farmers affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the state Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC) has allocated RM1 million to purchase products from farmers registered with the state Agricultural Department, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and SADC.
“Based on the state Agricultural Department’s statistics, agricultural production in the state is expected to reach up to 13,000 metric tonnes by Apr 14.
“(However) it is estimated that between 20 and 30 per cent of products, such as vegetables and fruits, cannot not be sold due to lack of demand from wholesalers, hotel industries and restaurants,” he said today.
Ahmad Faizal said by having this scheme, SADC will buy unsold products and sell them to its strategic partner, KLK Berhad and palm oil companies in the state, to distribute to their 10,000 workers here.
“Corporate companies such as Agroto Business are also interested in selling the products at supermarkets. The crop products will also be distributed to Central Kitchen operators who prepare meals for our frontliners,” he said.
As such, Ahmad Faizal, who is also the chairman of SADC, urged farmers yet to register with FAMA, SADC and the state Agricultural Department to do so to enjoy the benefits of the scheme.
“I hope this AgroPrihatin scheme will ease the burden of affected farmers and ensure the sustainability and stable supply of agricultural products in the state,” he added.
For more details, farmers can refer to the state Agricultural Department, SADC and Perak FAMA’s Facebook pages, or contact SADC at 013-5000894; the state Agricultural Department (017-3981454) and Perak FAMA (017-3624087).