Tenom: The State Government, through the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry (MAFFI), will begin construction of a RM1.2 million agricultural produce processing centre here in June.
Its Minister, Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, said the project is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rural agriculture sector and enhance the competitiveness of local products.
He said the centre is expected to serve as an important initiative in adding value to agricultural produce cultivated by local farmers.
The facility will be equipped with modern equipment to enable farmers to process produce that cannot be sold directly in the market.
He said the move would reduce wastage and create opportunities for farmers to produce new items such as dried food and ready-to-eat products.
Jamawi, who is also Melalap Assemblyman, said this when met during the Chinese New Year celebration at Malleh Square, here. He added that the processing centre would add value to the local food supply chain.
In a related development, he said the construction of the Agricultural Produce Collection Centre (APCC) has reached 80 per cent completion and is expected to be fully completed in April.
He said the APCC would function as the main collection centre for agricultural produce in the area and expressed confidence that both facilities would complement each other in strengthening the collection, processing and marketing system while increasing farmers’ income and wellbeing in the district.
