JEMPOL, Oct 8 — The Palong Permanent Farmers’ Market (PTK) has become the first to be rebranded as Pasar Tani Keluarga Malaysia (PTKM).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob officially opened the PTKM in conjunction with the Negeri Sembilan Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (AKM) at Dataran Seri Jempol here today.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also lead minister for Negeri Sembilan Jelajah AKM.
Earlier, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) director-general Datuk Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli, when briefing the prime minister, said the rebranding was made following a proposal from Jempol Member of Parliament Mohd Salim Sharif in the Dewan Rakyat last August.
Zainal Abidin said the construction of the PTK would increase the sales value of participants by up to 30 per cent and create job opportunities which would fully go to the local community.
FAMA, in a statement, said PTK Palong, which was completed this month at a cost of RM2.81 million, was aimed at creating opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs to market their agricultural products directly to consumers.
According to FAMA, there are 36 PTK locations nationwide involving a total of 2,201 PTK participants, with PTK sales reaching RM165 million as of last month.
Five PTKs are still under construction in Seberang Jaya (Penang), Kuala Kangsar (Perak), Putrajaya, and Kuala Lipis and Cameron Highlands in Pahang.
