NAFAS aims for 30 pct young entrepreneur involvement

BERA, Nov 12 (Bernama) --  The National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) is targeting an increase of up to 30 per cent involvement from young entrepreneurs to join the agency, says its chairman Datuk Zamri Yaakob.

He said at the moment, the organisation has close to one million members but only 15 per cent are young entrepreneurs which necessitated the need for the association to increase the participation of the group.

“We need to increase the participation of young entrepreneurs because most of the existing members have already reached 60 years old and above.

“So individuals who are interested are welcome to join NAFAS. Besides, the agricultural sector is actually able to generate a lucrative income.

“We hope to be able to achieve the target in the next one or two years…we can offer a variety of assistance to young entrepreneurs which includes marketing, training and exposure about agriculture projects,” he told reporters when met at the Farmers’ Family Sales Carnival at Dataran Kerayong here today.

"The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who is also the Bera parliamentary seat incumbent also spent more than half an hour mingling with the crowd and traders besides trying some of the products sold by entrepreneurs here.

Commenting on the carnival, Zamri said the carnival which started from 8.30 am to 1 pm, also involved sales from the National Fishermen's Association (NEKMAT) and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) with products such as fresh fish, rice, fruit and vegetables.

The carnival also offers products that are sold as low as RM8 for a whole chicken during "happy hour" with a total of 500 chickens, while during normal hours, one is sold for only 10 ringgit but is limited to just 1,000 chickens only, he said.

Besides that, NAFAS also provided exhibition booths and members of the public can have access to more detailed information, assistance and investment opportunities in which interested parties can participate after becoming a member of the association.

Meanwhile, housewife Amlah Hashim, 53 said she managed to buy rice being sold at RM6 per kilogramme (kg). Besides that, she also bought fresh prawns and crabs.

“It is definitely worthwhile to be here, I will never miss the opportunity to buy things, just like when I go to the Keluarga Malaysia Sales where the items sold are truly cheap,” said the mother of six children.

-- BERNAMA