MADA ENTREPRENEURS GET CHANCE TO MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS IN SOUQ MADANI PROGRAMME

ALOR SETAR, March 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 22 entrepreneurs under the guidance of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) have the opportunity to market the Raya cakes and cookies they produce in the Souq MADANI Fitrah Raya MADA 2025 programme, which is being held from March 17 to March 30.

MADA chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the programme, which is an annual event organised by the MADA Food Industry and Entrepreneur Division, aims to provide a platform for entrepreneurs, especially in the field of making traditional cakes and cookies.

"The programme's objective is to increase the income of entrepreneurs...besides rice production in the Muda area, the residents' sources of income also come from entrepreneurial activities in the agro-based and non-rice industries.

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"A total of 22 MADA entrepreneurs are involved in this year's programme, which takes place at three locations: the Star Parade shopping complex and Alor Setar Mall in Alor Setar, as well as C-Mart Arau in Perlis. All entrepreneurs have the opportunity to market their products for 14 days," he told Bernama after the inauguration ceremony of the Souq MADANI Fitrah Raya MADA 2025 programme here today.

He said that last year, the entrepreneurs’ sales value for the programme during Aidilfitri reached RM1 million and it is hoped that this year's sales value can be improved compared to previous years.

"The MADA authorities also encourage entrepreneurs to implement their own initiatives to attract buyers, whether by holding promotions, direct sales on social media, offering competitive prices, and other effective marketing strategies to ensure their products sell out," he said.

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Meanwhile, Dr Ismail said that as of Dec 31, 2024, the number of entrepreneurs developed by MADA was 2,460 people in various categories, namely 1,321 people in the basic agricultural industry, 1,091 (basic agriculture) and 48 (marketing).

"MADA always strives to ensure that every guided entrepreneur benefits significantly from the programmes organised, starting with entrepreneur development programmes, human capital development, and also marketing elements that can act as a catalyst for the scaling up of the business being pursued," he said.

He said that in addition to the three programme locations, the public also has the opportunity to purchase Raya cakes and cookies at the Peladang MART Jalan Sultanah marketing outlet, Pendang Food Industry Hub and Sultan Abdul Halim Airport.

Siti Nur Amyra Jamil, 28, from Pendang, who has been an entrepreneur under MADA for three years, said she is grateful for the opportunities provided by MADA, especially to small entrepreneurs who have just ventured into the business of Raya cakes and cookies.

"I sell more than 20 types of Eid al-Fitr cookies and also cakes. So far the response from the public has been very good…last year the sales value was estimated to be more than RM7,000 and it is hoped that this year will be better, and in some way can help cover the costs of celebrating Eid al-Fitr," she also said.

-- BERNAMA