Gov't to upgrade shops to market cheaper agricultural products

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will upgrade shops from several agencies under the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry to market agriculture-based products which will be 5% to 20% cheaper from the normal market price.
Agriculture and Agro-based minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the shops, with a concept similar to Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KR1M), will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak next month.
We are targeting to have at least 50 of such shops this year. The current shops, under the ministry's purview, will be upgraded and standardised," he told reporters after officiating an event to commemorate the 42th anniversary of Farmers' Association Board at Menara LPP here.
He said unlike KR1M, the upgraded shops would be fully managed by the owners.
"The ministry will provide assistance to the shops, such as providing supplies of agriculture products," he said.
He said such shops will be established in rural areas, but would be expanded in urban areas if there was a need.
He added a total of 600 shops under the ministry's purview would be upgraded over time.
Details of the shops is expected to be announced during the launch.
Earlier in his speech, Ismail Sabri urged the local agricultural sector to produce more products so that the country would not have to rely on imported goods.
He also urged farmers to gain control over product and supply chain to ensure prices of goods do not rise due to some along the chain reaping profits.