OVER 2,000 CHICKENS SOLD IN THREE HOURS AT AGRO MADANI SALE

KUALA TERENGGANU, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Over 2,000 chickens, priced at RM6.90 per kg and 1,500kg of local beef at RM21 per kg, sold out within three hours at the Agro MADANI Sale organised by the Terengganu State Farmers’ Organisation Board (LPP) at Tok Adis, Kuala Ibai, today.

LPP Terengganu director Hasmila Abas said crowds began queuing from 7.30 am to buy raw ingredients, kitchen essentials, and fruit, which were offered at 30 to 50 per cent below market prices.

She said 500 MADANI baskets of rice, oil, flour, and sardines, worth RM55, were also sold for RM20 each.

“Other popular items included Grade A eggs at RM10 per tray, local rice at RM20 for 10kg, and imported rice at RM14 for 5kg,” she said at the venue today.

Hasmila said the Agro MADANI Sale marked LPP’s 53rd anniversary, with Tok Adis, Kuala Ibai as the third stop after Sura Gate, Dungun, and Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu on Feb 10 and 12.

“The MADANI government, via LPP, provides RM35,000-RM40,000 in subsidies for each Agro MADANI Sale.

“In the previous two events, LPP made RM200,000 in sales with about 27,000 visitors. We estimate today’s crowd topped 15,000, with similar numbers expected for the final sale in Besut on Feb 16,” she said.

Visitor Rosmalia Mohd Lazim, 46, from Kampung Telaga Daing, Kuala Nerus, said she didn’t want to miss the chance to stock up on food and ingredients at lower prices to save for Ramadan, even if it meant standing in a long queue.

“Alhamdulillah, I bought three chickens and five kilos of beef for Ramadan. It’s a big saving as it would normally cost about RM200, but here it was under RM150,” she said.

Mohd Arshad Ngah, 56, from Chendering, said that with the rising cost of living, the Agro MADANI  Sale is highly anticipated, especially by the B40 group.

“This initiative is a great help for families with many dependents. I have three children still studying, and I also look after two orphaned grandchildren.

“I really hope the government can expand initiatives like this across the state, as they greatly help those with limited means,” he said.

-- BERNAMA