Government ready to allocate more to increase People's Agro Bazaars - Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government is ready to allocate funds to the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry as well as farmers' associations to increase the number of People's Agro Bazaars throughout the country.

The Prime Minister said the move would benefit the people who would have the chance to get food supplies at reasonable prices.

"One of the things that get the attention of the people everywhere now is the cost of living.

"We want to ensure that the price of chicken, meat, vegetables and fruits every day is reasonable to the majority of people so that they feel life in Malaysia is a big blessing," he said in his speech at a dinner event and launching ceremony of the 42nd annual general meeting of the National Farmers' Association (Nafas) here tonight.

Also present were Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Nafas Board of Directors chairman Datuk Seri Saipolbahari Suib.

He said farmers, breeders and fishermen could also earn more income by marketing their products at the People's Agro Bazaar.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said farmers, breeders and fishermen must expand their markets overseas by collaborating with major hypermarkets.

"The agriculture industry is not limited to our national borders...how about exporting, it would increase the value. What if we can collaborate with international hypermarket chains and we channel our products to these chains to be exported to markets like the Middle East," said Najib.

The Prime Minister also said farmers, breeders and fishermen in this country would also get assistance from the government to improve their standard of living.

He said there was none among them who had never received aid such as seeds, fertilisers and marketing from the government under Barisan Nasional and UMNO.