June 21, 2023

 

Sarawak, Malaysia, still getting private companies to invest in ruminant farming, minister says

 

 

The state government of Sarawak, Malaysia, has been encouraging private companies to invest and engage in ruminant farming activities, said Martin Ben, the Deputy Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (Commodity and Regional Development).

 

He added that the government appreciates PPES Livestock Sdn Bhd and other companies that have successfully engaged in ruminant farming, especially for cattle. Such companies include the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), Eco Farm Solution, Ta Ann, Alam Bumijaya Sdn Bhd and Mucow (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

 

Ben also called upon entrepreneurs to use modern technology such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer to increase production.

 

"During our visit to the Livestock Embryo Center in Bogor, Indonesia last month, it was found that this technology is being used effectively to increase production," he said during the launch of Sarawak's first Cattle Auction Sale at the Siburan Halal Abattoir Complex.

 

Ben added that the involvement of many participants, especially private companies in ruminant farming activities, would help the state achieve its target to become a net food exporter by 2030 and for food security.

 

He noted that Sarawak aims to increase the self-sufficiency level of meat (cattle and buffalo) from 12% at present to 25% by 2030.

 

"To achieve this target, Sarawak needs the total cattle population of as many as 60,000 cattle and 20,000 buffaloes by 2030," Ben said. "The current cattle population is only approximately 17,000 cattle and 6,500 buffaloes."

 

According to Ben, the government has imposed a policy where female livestock (cattle or buffaloes) that are still productive cannot be slaughtered. He explained this is to ensure that productive female livestock are preserved to continue producing offspring in order to increase the livestock population in Sarawak.

 

He said Sarawak's advantage is it can export ruminant livestock to any destination as the state is recognised as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) by the World Animal Health Organization.

 

"Therefore, we are strict on this FMD control programme, where we can only import cattle from countries or states that are free of FMD disease such as Australia, New Zealand, and Sabah," Ben added. "As Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia are not FMD-free, the importation of cattle, goats, pigs and their products from the peninsula and Indonesia is prohibited."

 

- The Borneo Post