FAMA TO PROMOTE SABAH’S EXOTIC FRUITS, BAMBANGAN AND TARAP, IN SINGAPORE

Wong (2nd right) and other officials visit the stalls during JTDL programme in Tawau

TAWAU : The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will be promoting two exotic fruits from Sabah, the Bambangan and Tarap, as the state’s signature fruits to Singapore.

Its acting director-general, Zainal Yang Razali said both fruits had export potential due to the high demand from lovers of these two fruits.

“I am proud that the Bambangan and Tarap were well received when brought from Sabah to Bukit Mertajam last July and will be promoted at the pasar tani (farmers’ market) in Putrajaya next month before bringing the fruits to Singapore for promotion.”

He said this when met at the opening of the the agency’s Direct Sales from Farm (JTDL) programme for Tawau district by Assistant Minister in the Sabah Chief Minister’s Department, Datuk Jimmy Wong, here, on Sunday.

Zainal said FAMA was committed to promoting local fruits through various programmes which directly benefited all parties.

“Like the JTDL programme, we will target it three or four times a year to increase public consumption of local fruits as the programme provides farmers the opportunity to directly sell the produce from their farms at reasonable prices to consumers,” he said.

Zainal noted that until June 30 this year, there were 313 JTDL programmes and other efforts organised by FAMA involving 503 participants with sales amounting to over RM2.2 million.

He said FAMA, meanwhile, had also identified signature products such as the popular Amplang (traditional fish cracker snack) which Tawau was renowned for.

“The Amplang in Tawau is the best with a high demand from consumers because of its quality, and can be exported to expand its market. The producers here should increase output and further improve the quality,” he added.

Meanwhile,  Wong commended FAMA for its efforts in promoting local fruits which could also attract more visitors.

“This programme is very good in making Tawau not just well known for its seafood but also the variety and quality of its local fruits,” he said, adding that he hoped farmers in this district would take the opportunity to increase output of local fruits.