Mohd Asrun Yatim

ALOR STAR: The are about 150 stalls at Pasar Tani Taman Wira in Mergong here yesterday, but only one of them was the centre of attention.

Customers made a beeline for the stall operated by Mohd Asrun Yatim, who sold his vegetables at almost half the price. The 32-year-old sold chilies at RM6 per kg compared with the price of RM10 per kg. Cucumber was sold at between RM1 and RM1.50 per kg against the RM3 per kg in the market.

Asrun, who had been selling at the market over the past nine years, said he was able to sell his vegetables cheaper because he grew them at his farm in Perik, Kuala Nerang.

Asrun also sourced some of his vegetables from other farms, which had collaborated with the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry under contract farming.

"I hope this will help in the government's Jimat Belanja Dapur 2014 programme to ease the burden of consumers."

Pasar Tani Taman Wira, which operated on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday every week, was among the 15 agricultural markets in Kedah organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).

Kalsom Hassan, 59, a regular of the pasar tani, hailed the government's effort in establishing the farmers' market. Besides being cheaper, the vegetables were also fresher, she added.

Customers choosing vegetables at the stall operated by Mohd Asrun Yatim at ‘Pasar Tani’ Taman Wira, Mergong, yesterday. He is selling his vegetables at almost half the market price. Pic by Lim Poh Chin

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