JOHOR BARU, June 24 — The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) is eyeing sales of RM200,000 and 50,000 visitors for the four-day Johor Fama Fest that ends tomorrow.

State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the event held at Aeon Bukit Indah here is aimed at promoting local entrepreneurs’ food products to the public, including visitors from Singapore.

He said 45 entrepreneurs are participating in the festival which also brings together government agencies and farmers, and offers a variety of products and services at reasonable prices.

"Various exciting activities are lined up including business matching session, cooking demonstration, seasonal fruit sale, crystal longan sale, and offer of vouchers worth up to RM20.

"The event also features traditional and popular Johor dishes, including mee rebus, otak-otak (steamed fish custard), pepes (cooked food wrapped in banana leaves) and avocado juice to attract visitors,” he said in a statement today.

Zahari said Fama is also targeting RM5 million in potential export sales through the business matching session.

"For this purpose, Fama has brought in marketing agents from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Cambodia to assist in expanding the market for local agrofood products globally.

"This is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs to explore the global market, which is much bigger and profitable through the agents that own sales outlets or key accounts at their respective destinations,” he said.

Zahari said besides this, the Madani Agro Sales programme is also being held to make it easy for visitors to obtain necessities such as vegetables, fruits and other agriculture products.

"Madani Agro Sales is one of the ‘quick win’ programmes by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry which helps farmers in marketing their products directly to consumers, who in turn would enjoy savings,” he said.

According to Zahari, Fama has recorded a potential export value of RM93.7 million with the participation of marketing agents from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Cambodia, which benefited 54 local entrepreneurs through its overseas market promotion programme from Jan 1 to May this year.

At the ceremony, Zahari also presented incentives worth RM220,000 to four recipients through the Agrotourism Programme, Rezeki Tani Programme, Johor Signature Product Development Programme and Export Packaging Grant. — Bernama