By Zaki Salleh
KAMPAR – Efforts to strengthen the marketing chain for local agricultural produce and enhance the nation’s food security are crucial to ensuring a stable food supply.
Among the key initiatives is a strategy to expand marketing of locally grown sweet potatoes, including the Vitato variety, throughout the country.
Recently, the management of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) conducted a working visit to Malim Nawar to inspect local sweet potato cultivation.
The delegation was led by FAMA Senior Director of Fresh Produce Marketing and Market Intervention, Sarman Sidno, together with Malim Nawar Vegetable Growers Association chairman, Chai Kok Wah.
During the visit, FAMA outlined proactive measures to ensure locally produced sweet potatoes are marketed more extensively through its nationwide marketing network.
As a follow-up, the Perak FAMA Operations Centre will serve as the main coordinator by carrying out regular purchases from farmers in Malim Nawar.
The initiative is expected to bring significant benefits by stabilising sweet potato prices, preventing oversupply, strengthening the agri-food supply chain, and providing farmers with more secure market access.
At the same time, the effort will support the food industry’s demand for a consistent supply of high-quality sweet potatoes.
