Crowd puller: Shoppers making the most of the opportunity to get basic necessities at reasonable prices at the Madani Agro Sale on the grounds of Masjid Jamek Tuanku Besar in Tampin. — Bernama
TAMPIN: Every time the Madani Agro Sale is held here, Ropeah Mat Said is among those who never miss the opportunity.
The housewife from Kampung Pondoi Village said she, along with her children and grandchildren, will go to the location as early as 8am so that she would not miss out on any promotion or discount.
She said the opportunity to buy foodstuff at cheaper prices at the Madani Agro Sale site should not be ignored by the people.
“The Rahmah price offered will certainly be able to reduce the burden of the high cost of living and help us save,” she said when met by Bernama at the compound of the Masjid Jamek Tuanku Besar, which is about a 20-minute drive from her home.
Ropeah, 53, said she had been going to the Madani Agro Sale since she knew about it.
“I found out about today’s Madani Agro Sale through the village’s WhatsApp group two to three days ago.
“It helps me stock up on some of the items such as cooking oil, rice and eggs at a cheaper price, sometimes by up to RM5.
“I can even buy vegetables for RM1 a bundle. It’s worth it,” she said.
Zaili Shaari, 59, a retiree from Taman Bukit Tampin, said he does not want to miss out on the opportunity to buy foodstuff at the Madani Agro Sale because it is cheaper and of better quality than at supermarkets or grocery stores.
The father of eight said he hopes the programme would be held more often, at least twice or thrice a month, to help the people cope with the rising cost of living.
“It allows people, especially those from the low-income group, to have their meals with seafood such as prawns and squid which are very expensive in the market.
“I bought 10kg of local white rice for only RM26, compared with RM40 outside,” he added.
Zaili thanked the government for the initiative and hopes that the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) or the Agriculture Department would hold more of such programmes.
Agricultural entrepreneur Zainah Yaakub, 50, described the programme as a “win-win situation” because it not only benefits consumers but also participating entrepreneurs.
“Farmers can sell their produce directly to consumers without the need to go through middlemen, which will certainly increase their (farmers’) income and profit margin. As for consumers, they get fresh produce at a cheaper price,” Zainah said.
Negri Sembilan Fama deputy director (development and management services) Kamaliah Yusoff said a total of 27 local entrepreneurs participated in the Madani Agro Sale here.
