October 18, 2007

Malaysia to plant corn in Indonesia to benefit poultry industry

Malaysia is planning large-scale corn planting in Sulawesi island, Indonesia, to help lower feed prices for its poultry industry.

Malaysia has seen hikes in poultry prices in recent months as feed costs soared 40 percent. The country's poultry industry relies to a large extent on imported feed.

Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said the Sulawesi authorities have agreed to allocate 400 hectares for the project suitable for planting quality corn.

He also added he would hold a meeting with the governor of Sulawesi in December before encouraging local poultry firms to participate in the project.

Projects of such nature would not only allow Malaysia's livestock to benefit but could even allow Malaysia to export corn, he said.