March 3, 2022

Sarawak, Malaysia looks at improving food security through cattle production

The state government of Sarawak, Malaysia, intends to improve its food security by producing enough cattle to meet current market demand, especially for beef, and reduce import of cattle meat.

According to the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak is only 12% self-sufficient in beef and to meet demand, 88% was imported mainly from Australia and New Zealand.

"The state's aspiration is to improve food security and in regard to beef, we want to achieve 50% self-sufficiency level by 2030. To achieve this aspiration, the involvement of the private sector is encouraged in commercial cattle production," he said in his address during the signing of an agreement for privatisation of Karabungan Agriculture Station.

The signing was between the state government represented by Veterinary Services of Sarawak and Alam Bumijaya Sdn Bhd.

The agreement will privatise Karabungan Agriculture Station for the purpose of commercial cattle farming for the production of beef, which will be undertaken by Alam Bumijaya Sdn Bhd as the operator.

"Mostly, our beef is imported. If we cut that (imported beef), we can increase revenue for the state," Dr. Rundi said. "But most importantly, it is also for food security. This is the future challenge the world over, not only for us in Malaysia, but all other parts of the world. We are not only looking at livestock, but we will also be looking at other agriculture activities, crops and so on, especially big plantations."

He said the government had decided to invite the private sector to invest in commercial livestock production, utilising existing government station land.

Apart from Karabungan, two other livestock stations, that have been chosen for commercial livestock production under this privatisation initiative, are Temudok Agriculture Station for goat production and Maragang Station for buffalo production.

"We want to use this (Karabungan) government's original initiative and make it a full pledged commercialisation to produce beef. The government will facilitate and assist, especially in terms of infrastructure," Dr. Rundi added. "We should be able to develop it within the 12th Malaysia Plan or even beyond, so that we can secure the future of our food security in this part of the world."

Dr. Rundi said the signing of the licence agreement marks a new milestone in the commercial development of the cattle industry in Sarawak towards achieving its 50% self-sufficiency level for beef and cattle population of 150,000 head by 2030.

- Borneo Post