Fama e-marketing debuts in Sabah

KOTA MARUDU, Feb 19 (Daily Express) -- The widely-used virtual marketing system has the potential to further empower the agriculture sector as it can "match-make" buyers and sellers of agriculture produce.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said he welcomed the move by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority for introducing several innovative programmes including displaying online information on farmers' market participants according to areas.

Citing e-GeoFarmer@FAMA online display as an example, he said virtual marketing such as this will open opportunities to vegetabale traders to do business beyond the site of the farmers' market physical boundary.

"Buyers can also make their choice to buy agriculture produce at a cheapers and reasonable price without the involvement of third parties in the selling and buying dealings," he said when launchinh e-GeoFarmer@FAMA at the Kota Marudu Farmers' Market.

Also present was new Fama Chairman Dato' Paduka Haji Badruddin bin Amiruldin.

Dr Maximus who is also Kota Marudu Member of Parliament, said the move was in line with the Government's intention to strengthen the agriculture sector to be more competitive and viable with the use of the information and communications technology (ICT) facilities.

He said ICT is being used to help agro-based farmers to boost their economic advantage including in rural Kota Marudu.

As of Dec 3, 2008, 30 participants of the Kota Marudu Farmers' Market netted RM700,000 in sales value.

The Minister also welcome the plan by the Sabah FAMA to open four more farmers' markets in Taman Mesra, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, tawau and at the Kota Belud Tamu market site this year.