October 23, 2009

Malaysia's government hopes to increase beef production by over 40 percent by 2015, said farm minister Datuk Noh Omar.

 

Local beef production currently takes only 27 percent of the domestic market, with the rest dominated by imports, said the minister.

 

Most beef are imported from India, with about 10 percent from the US, New Zealand and Australia, he said, adding that the imports cost nearly MYR1 billion (US$295.2 million).

 

Noh said the lack of domestic beef production was because cattle farming was run on a part-time basis and to supplement income. To boost production, the people have to be convinced to become full-time cattle farmers, he said.

 

With the supervision of the feedlot centre under NFCorp, the 810-hectare centre to be in operation next year would help achieve the 40 percent target, he said.

 

The company aims to rear 60,000 cattle a year and if the land is insufficient, it will offer villagers to rear cattle on a contract basis, he said.

 

This method would be more effective for villagers in Gemas because the company would provide proper fencing, wholesome food and veterinary service, and would later buy back the cattle, he said.