The best 28th VAM Congress was held here in Kuching

Sarawak made history by organising the best 28th VAM Congress here in Waterfront Hotel, Kuching.

Dr Leonora Tuah

Dr Helen Mitin

VAM Gala Dinner

DG Dato Dr Kamaruddin

SVA Remark Dr Stephen

VAM Fraternity Nite

VAM Congress 2016 in Kuching, Sarawak

We are pleased to announce the date and venue of the 28th VAM Congress 2016 & 28th VAM Annual General Meeting 2016.

 

The 28th VAM Congress:

Date: 23 – 25 September 2016

Venue: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching Sarawak

 

The 28th VAM Annual General Meeting (Election of New VAM Exco):

Date: 23 – 25 September 2016

Time: 2.00 – 5.00 pm

Venue: The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching Sarawak

 

Department Of Veterinary Services Sarawak

KUCHING: There is a need to draw up a master plan for the rubber industry in Sarawak in order to transform the industry, suggested Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said this is because rubber has been and will continue to play an important role in the development of the state’s rural economy while contributing to its export earning, employment opportunity and generating income for rubber smallholders mainly in the rural areas.

“Currently, there are 175,000 hectares of rubber smallholdings scattered all over Sarawak. The size of the farm holdings of these smallholders ranges from one hectare to 10 hectares. Seventy per cent of rubber products produced by the smallholders are in the form of cup lump while 30 per cent are dry or smoked sheets.

“There are four Standard Malaysia Rubber (SMR) factories in Sarawak, three in Kuching and one in Betong. However, the state does not have high downstream value-added products. The SMR rubber is only for export in the raw form. In terms of yield, we only reach a production of 800 kg per hectare as compared to 1,200 kg per hectare at national level,” Uggah said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.

As such, the rubber industry in the state is merely to supply raw rubber, which should no longer be the case if we have the downstream industry, he reasoned.

Learning from the development of the rubber industry in West Malaysia, he said the industry has vast potentials when it is developed in a more integrated manner.

“The competitiveness of the rubber industry should be examined as an integrated entity spanning the entire industry from rubber cultivation to downstream value-added industries.

“Whilst rubber cultivation per se does not generate attractive returns to investment, rubber product manufacturing and rubber wood industries offer lucrative returns,” he said.

Meanwhile, Uggah also informed the august house that the government was in the process of establishing the State Department of Veterinary Services as a dedicated agency to develop the livestock industry.

The establishment of the department will put the government in a better position to enforce The Veterinary Public Health Ordinance, 1999 efficiently and effectively, he said.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/06/16/uggah-proposes-master-plan-for-rubber-industry/#ixzz4BvYMomMl

Prospect of Livestock industry in Sarawak

Sarawak who have vast terrain is not only suitable for agricultural activities but but also venturing into livestock activities can be profitable if fully commercialised.

Especially at this time of increasing demand for meat in the market provides an opportunity for anyone venturing into the lucrative gain.

However, what is needed is enthusiasm and determination in carrying out farming activities despite starting with only a few goats or cows. To start livestock farming activities do not have to have hundreds of goats or cows to become a successful farmer.

A successful breeder must have knowledge and know how to fully commercialize the livestock and not merely waiting for the sale of meat.

We need to open our mind that the livestock sector is not just wait for the results of meat alone, but we need to look at other things that can be commercialized through these activities.

We can exploit these activities by establishing commercial activities such as producing organic fertilizer or breeding livestock manure worms through this venture.

The livestock sector has proved highly profitable when fully commercialized until there are professionals, doctors or lawyers who ventured into the field.

There are breeders that utilize the animal waste with earthworms which then be sold as high quality organic fertilizer.

In addition to carry out the rearing of cattles and goats, entrepreneurs in this country should take the opportunity and space to carry out other activities such as swiftlet farming  to get a edible bird's nest.

Livestock entrepreneurs  can use the remaining space in the area of ​​goats or cattle to build a house that is used for swiftlet farming.

Swiftlet farms have broad market and the country exported about 150,000 metric tonnes of nests with revenue of RM750 million a year. In fact, birds nests in high demand from China and Europe with the world market is RM8 billion.

Therefore, entrepreneurs who want to start farming activities should possess the knowledge and technology so that activities can be fully commercialized.

Livestock breeding an important industry

Congratulating the organising committee of the Malaysian Society of Animals Production Conference, themed “Bridging Technology Gap for ASEAN Animals Production”, for holding the conference in Kuching, he said this was a noble effort of the Society because animal production was an important industry, not only in ASEAN region but throughout the world.

“Today’s conference is timely in that animal production is plagued by issues like animal welfare, global warming, antibiotic resistance, human and animal competition for food, animal waste disposal and environmental pollution and international trade boundaries.

“Animal products remain an important and integral part of our daily food consumption, and with the congregation of scientists and academicians, and research conducted, the problems of increasing animal production can be solved.

“Food, like water and air, is life and feeding seven billion people every day is a big challenge for the scientists and food producers. Farming of both livestock and crops is the biggest human endeavour on earth, using more than 38 per cent of ice-free land for agriculture.

“By 2050, it will be a monumental task for another generation to feed global population projected at nine billion, and where will we find enough food for the nine billion people without overwhelming this planet?” asked Adenan.

He said the spread of prosperity across the world, especially China and India, would be driving increased demand for meat, eggs and milk, resulting in more pressure to grow more corn and soya beans to feed more cattle, pigs and chicken.

“We should be very concerned on how our food is produced, whether in a sustainable, efficient and safe manner. Farming has impacted on our water supply which can be polluted by pesticide and fertiliser runoffs,” he said.

He pointed out that farming would also affect climate, releasing more greenhouse gasses than all the cars, trucks and planes in the world combined, largely from methane gas released by cattle and rice farms, nitrous oxide from fertilised fields and cutting of trees to grow crops or raise livestock.

“As with all resources necessary for life - water, air and energy must be balanced and sustainable,” said the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, the three-day conference is being attended by 180 people from all over the world.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers’ Organisations) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, President of Malaysia Society of Animal Production Dr Abdu Hassan Muhammad Ali and organising chairman of 1st ARCAP 2014 and 35th Annual Conference of MSAP Prof Dr Loh Teck Chwen.

• 
• DATUK Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu (right), accompanied by Dr Abu Hassan Muhammad Ali (left), touring the exhibition after declaring open the 1st ASEAN Regional Conference of Animal Production 2014 (ARCAP) and 35th Annual Conference of Malaysian Society of Animal Production (MSAP). Also seen are Prof Dr Loh Teck Chwen (second right) and Director of State Agriculture Lai Kui Fung (third right). PHOTO: RAMIDI SUBARI

Call for healthy organic meat, poultry

KUCHING: The Malaysian Society of Animal Production (MSAP) has been challenged to produce organic poultry and meat products to meet the needs of an increasing affluent society.

Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said consumers are growing more health conscious nowadays, strengthening demand for organic food.

“As people get more and more health conscious, the demand for organic vegetables is increasing. And what about animal products like organic eggs, chicken, pork, beef and all the rest? We often find it doubtful when we go to the market, and a specialist friend of mine even advised me not to buy pork if the meat is red because the pig might have been given some sort of chemical.

“So what is organic? This will be the challenge of the society whether we can see organic animal products produced rather than just organic vegetables,” he said when representing Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem at the first Asean Regional on Animal Product and MSAP’s 35th Annual Conference dinner on Thursday.

Manyin also challenged the society to offer products that are more affordable for end users while not seeing providers registering losses.

He said it is pertinent for the society to look into ways to cut production costs so that consumers would not find it a burden to pay for the products.

He called on delegates from outside the state to explore its attractions such as caves, longhouses and orangutans.

Manyin also admitted there is still great room for improvement in terms of infrastructure and facilities for visitors.

“We do not have highways like our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia do, and that is our disadvantage. We hope Sarawak will be able to see more highways, from Kuching all the way up to Miri,” he said.

Meanwhile, MSAP president Abu Hassan Muhammad Ali urged individuals and corporations in the industry to join the society to explore opportunities and contribute ideas for legislation.

Established in 1971, he said the society had members from government departments, universities, government-linked corporations as well as the private sector.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/06/07/call-for-healthy-organic-meat-poultry/#ixzz34HbwMAv0

Agriculture Dept fares poorly in livestock, rice programmes –AG Report

Posted on October 2, 2013, Wednesday

KUCHING: The Livestock Development Programme managed by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) has been graded “less than satisfactory” in the Auditor-General’s Report 2012 despite spending RM53.73 million from 2009 to 2012 to aid livestock breeders in the state.

The report said that an audit conducted from July to October 2012 revealed the programme utilised 96.1 per cent of its total allocation but its overall management was poor and identified seven weaknesses in its implementation.

A glaring deficiency was the absence of contract agreement for the procurement of livestock. Other weaknesses were incomplete livestock registration records and poor management of the livestock station which could have led to low birth rate but high mortality rate of the cattle.

In reaction to the audit comment, DOA had conducted a workshop to draft the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all processes pertaining to livestock project management and station. The department also initiated some remedial actions including reviewing the implementation strategy for the programme; ensuring the signing of contract agreement before distributing the livestock; proper management of livestock station as well as proper and updating registration records of livestock.

Apart from its livestock programme, DOA’s Paddy Industry Development Programme (PPIP) which also involved Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture Sarawak as well as Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) was also deemed “less than satisfactory” in its overall management. According to the report, PPIP was introduced as a development strategy to increase productivity and production of rice to achieve the state’s target of 70 per cent rice self-sufficiency level.

The report said that under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), DOA and DID had spent a total of RM235.03 million or 93.1 per cent out of RM252.48 million allocations received from both the state and federal government for PPIP.

However, the audit conducted from June to October 2012 showed that the programme failed to achieve the 70 per cent rice self-sufficiency at the end of 9the Malaysia Plan. The implementation of PPIP was blighted by impractical project design, non-compliance of financial procedures in procurement and payment for weedicides.

DOA also failed to meet the deadline for the construction of Stumbin Paddy Seeds Production and Processing Centre (SPPC) which was part of the programme. Meanwhile, the audit of AG conducted from May to July 2012 also found the overall financial performance of management of Mayang Tea Sdn Bhd (MTSB) “unsatisfactory”.

MTSB which is wholly owned by Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) was initially involved in planting, processing and marketing of tea on an area of 182.02 ha. However, since November 2011, MTSB has replaced its tea with oil palm on its former 100 ha of tea plantation.

MTSB had initiated remedial actions to ensure the success in its oil palm undertaking which included collecting and taking actions on the outstanding debts and optimising available resources to generate economic return to the company

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/02/agriculture-dept-fares-poorly-in-livestock-rice-programmes-report/#ixzz2iMPIBOY0

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the biggest pagoda in Vietnam built in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province with an area of 700 hectares. It take about 30 minutes drive (17 km) from Hoang Son Peace Hotel.

Bai Dinh Pagoda

Bai Dinh Pagoda is the biggest pagoda in Vietnam built in Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh province with an area of 700 hectares. It take about 30 minutes drive (17 km) from Hoang Son Peace Hotel.

Kirimitonas set to beef up cattle sector via NFC Read more: Kirimitonas set to beef up cattle sector via NFC

THE Malaysian-Japanese company that is poised to take over National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project has big plans to make a quantum leap to promote the local cattle industry and quality meat production using their extensive experience and logistics networking.

The new company are fully committed to repaying every dollar of the balance RM216 million loan provided by the government, said Datuk Nik Mohd Amin Majid, chairman of Kirimitonas Agro Sdn Bhd. 

He further added that Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, the executive chairman of the National Feedlot Corp Sdn Bhd, the operator of the NFC project, had so far done a good job operationally to enhance the project value.

"That's why our auditor allow us to take the assets and liabilities of NFC. Since the loan repayments are up-to-date, we will continue its repayments. This is a very commercially viable project," added Nik Mod Amin. 

Among the big plans that Kirimitonas Agro has for the local cattle industry is to produce what it dubbed as the Malay Beef, similar in quality to the famed beef from the Wagyu cattle.
The local cattle industry is currently far behind developed countries in terms of producing quality beef.

However, with the participation of Hannan Foods Group (HFG), Japan's largest meat and second largest food company, via Kirimitonas Agro, Malaysia is expected to make a quantum leap in the quality meat production. 

Kirimitonas is taking over the assets and liabilities of National Feedlot Corp Sdn Bhd.

Nik Mod Amin said the company is fortunate to have roped in HFG as a partner.

The Japanese giant, he said, was looking for opportunities to expand its operations, especially in the halal food market as there are a lot of demand for halal meat.

"HFG received a lot of order inquiries for Wagyu beef from buyers in the Middle East and elsewhere but it could not cater for the orders as it does not produce halal meat.

"When we promoted the idea of taking over the NFC, HFG was very interested as not only Malaysia is well-known as a halal food hub, but also the NFC concept itself is familiar to them (the company)," Nik Mod Amin said in an interview on Sunday.

Kirimitonas is a 60-40 joint venture between local company Otoshitos Sdn Bhd and Aruk Mert C. Ltd, an associate company of HFG in charged of expanding the group's halal business.

Aruk Mert director Kakishima Takaaki, who was also at the interview, said the NFC concept has attracted HFG as Japan itself implemented it 50 years ago.

"After the World War II, Japan found itself too dependent on imported food, including beef.

"As food security was a priority, the government then implemented, among others, feedlot centre projects, where satellite farms were created to fatten up the cattle needed for the abattoirs at the centre," he said.

Since then, Japan has managed to develop cattle breeds called Wagyu (literally means Japanese cattle), of which meat fetches a high price.

Nik Mod Amin said HFG, which has 25 affiliate companies and four overseas procurement centres (namely in the United States, Australia, South Korea and China), will be able to share its experience and resources to ensure the success of the NFC project.

"Its procurement capability itself will ensure that NFC will be in a better position to buy live cattle from all over the world at favourable prices," he said.

On the major factors that have drawn Kirimitonas' participation in the project, Nik Mod Amin said it is the concept itself as it involves the whole process of the industry, from farming, processing, distribution to restaurants.

Furthermore, NFC, the operator, has completed the infrastructure for the full implementation of the project, planned by the government to achieve 40 per cent self-sufficiency in beef supply as part of the country's food security programme.

"When we evaluated the company, we found the comprehensive plan and investment put in are similar to the initiative implemented by the Japanese government with Hannan 50 years ago.

"We believe that this socio-economic project will be a long-term project. We came in at the right time to continue the project, and with ready infrastructure, we can take off immediately," said Nik Mod Amin.

Over the last eight months, Kirimitonas has visited NFC facilities in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, and found the 1,500-hectare model farm and abattoir operational with the infrastructure all completed.

Seventy-one satellite and contract farms, out of the 310 to be set up by the government under the Implementation Agreement with NFC, are also operational.

"With these developments, we are confident that the target of producing 250,000 cattle in five years can be achieved."
However, he stressed that like many agricultural projects, the NFC initiative is long-term.

Kirimitonas, which last week signed a Letter of Intent with the government to take over the project, expects negotiations to be completed in six months.

Under its plan, the company wants to see three more abattoirs being built, covering the northern, southern, western and eastern regions.

It also plans to undertake projects such as feed mills and downstream activities such as halal gelatin and cosmetics, possibly involving other partners.

"Apart from its meat, the cattle have so many uses. Only their skull can't be used," said Nik Mod Amin.

Currently, Malaysia's live cattle population stand at about 900,000 heads, while consumption is about the same amount, forcing the country to import 76 per cent of its annual requirement.

Read more: Kirimitonas set to beef up cattle sector via NFC http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/20130423005621/Article/#ixzz2VPoqe82k

Buffalo Race In Limbang, Borneo

Buffaloes in Limbang , Sarawak were displayed during the Hari Peladang, Penternak & Nelayan 2012 held on 25-27 August 2012 recently. Shown below are Kerbau Sawah.

This buffalo race festival is a significant event to the Bisaya community, one of the Orang Ulu ethnic groups in Limbang. The aim of this festival is to promote tourism in this small village by showcasing their culture and tradition. Local villagers gets the opportunity to display their skills in handling the wild beast while maintaining their balance and winning the race.

Limbang is the melting pot of many cultures and has the highest concentration of Orang Ulu people in Sarawak. This small district is squeezed in between Brunei Darussalam at its north and coastal area but easily accessible by road. However there are two road border crossing checkpoints, both leading into Brunei.

Illegal meat import: Shun non-halal outlets

Posted on June 15, 2011, Wednesday

INTERESTING: Daud (second left) and others reacting to a point raised during the dialogue session of the ‘Halal Livestock Product 2011’ dialogue at the Islamic Information Centre yesterday.

KUCHING: Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman has called on Muslims to boycott eateries not certified halal by the Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (Jais).

This he said was one of the means to curb illegal import of raw meat into the state which had cost the state government about RM216 million in losses.

Speaking at the ‘Halal Livestock Product 2011’ dialogue at the Islamic Information Centre yesterday, Daud disclosed that the illegal import made up almost 30 per cent of the total stock in the state. “The volume of chicken wings in Sarawak is above the volume produced by legal vendors. These excess numbers are illegally imported meat that goes under the noses of the state Veterinary Department as well as the state Customs,” said Daud, naming one of the popular meat products imported illegally into the state.

Daud, who is also Tupong assemblyman, said boycotting eateries without halal certification would lead to the eradication of illegal smuggling of raw meat into the state. He also said that it would not be a surprise if the losses go beyond the RM216 million mark. “When an outlet has a halal certification, the meat that they cook is from a verified source and definitely not smuggled in,” he added.

Daud also assured that Jais had carried out periodic spot checks on eateries and slaughter houses to ensure that they follow the halal certification requirements. He also said that without halal certification end users would not know the source of the meat, putting into question the meat’s hygiene, quality and halal verification.

On the unethical importers who are profit-driven, Daud said it was hard for the authorities to nab and control them due to the vastness of the state with an open access to the sea from almost every major area.

He also stressed that among the drawbacks for the authorities to detect illegal smuggling was the long boundary line between Sarawak and its neighbouring country. Daud also said if found guilty of smuggling meat, offenders could be charged and fined not more than RM50,000 or sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

According to him, it is actually easy for eateries to obtain halal certification if they abide by the requirements regardless of whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. He also hoped that the dialogue organised by Jais in collaboration with the Veterinary Department, Agriculture Department and the Sarawak Livestock Association would be a key event to create awareness on how to eradicate illegal smuggling of meat into the state.

Attended by more than fifty participants, the dialogue touched on four working papers on Halal Certification, Laws and Regulations for Animal and Fish Quarantine Services, Sarawak Poultry Industry: Present Challenge and Future Prospects and Preparation of Halal Food.

Friday April 1, 2011

Pagoh set to be modern breeding ground for cattle and livestock

By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

MUAR: Pagoh is set to become a major cattle and chicken breeding centre by adopting high-technologies in a move to further boost the nation’s food production. A 200ha site located at Ulu Bakri in the Jorak constituency has been developed and sub-divided among 11 cattle and chicken breeders to expedite the project.

Muar Veterinary Department officer Zamari Mohd Amin said the area where villagers previously released their livestock for grazing several years ago, is now a modern feedlot and breeding premise.

First-hand view: Shahruddin (left) looking at heatlthy cows being bred by Abdul Rahman Juki (right)in a feedlot premise in Ulu Bakri.

Besides cattle, a modern chicken breeding centre with six breeder blocks using high-technological concept and one block for hatchery is also part of the project.The chicken breeding venture, undertaken by Jahasrat Poultry Processing Sdn Bhd from Selangor, aims at hatching and breeding the Kop chicken.

“The company will sell the chickens to local breeders who supply them to KFC outlets in the country,” he said, during a certificate and farm machine presentation to three cattle breeders here. Zamari said Ulu Bakri, along with Kampung Paya Bakul near Pagoh, Kampung Tui near Bukit Kepong and Tulang Gajah near Lenga has been earmarked as cattle breeding areas.

He said these four areas, with land mass totalling more than 850ha, had started to produce goats and cows for breeding as well as slaughtering to meet the nation’s demand for meat.

In appreciation: Shahruddin (right) giving certificates to some of the cattle breeders.

Commenting on the project, Jorak assemblyman Datuk Dr Shahruddin Mohd Salleh said cattle breeding in the four areas were part of the government’s National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project.

He said project was launched several years ago to increase food production in the country which depended most of its meat supply from overseas.

Some 90% of beef and 98% of dairy products, added Dr Sharuddin, were imported from other country, including India and Australia, and the Government wanted to reduce import. He said the cattle and chicken breeding ventures were regarded as high-impact projects to produce food for the country and urged the breeders to be committed in their undertaking.

Dr Shahruddin added that Ulu Bakri, located about three kilometres from Bukit Naning, was not a well-known cattle and chicken producing area until now. The assemblyman also praised the veterinary Department for developing Ulu Bakri, which was once a wasteland, into a modern and productive livestock breeding centre.

“If we can restructure villages where all residents live in one area and join their plots to form big cattle farms or plantations, we can generate greater income for the villagers. “At present many live on small plots with several fruit trees around the house and a few goats or cows and as such they dont make much,” he added.

Kids get to know more about livestock at themed carnival in Subang Jaya

By JASTIN AHMAD TARMIZI
jastin@thestar.com.my

IN CONJUNCTION with the Alltech Draw My Farm Competition award ceremony, Alltech Malaysia hosted a farm-themed carnival in 3C Complex, Subang Jaya recently.

The aim of the programme was to educate the public on the facts and myths surrounding animal production and encourage the young generation to join the livestock and feed industry when they grow up.

The carnival, which was open to the public, attracted over 200 children.

Reptilian lure: Two-year-old Yong Jia Ying looking at a Brazilian green iguana at the farm.

The event featured activities for families namely a petting and farm animal zoo, careers in agriculture, amazing games, happy little farmer photo station and magic performance as well as a drawing gallery containing more than 160 pieces of artwork from the children.

There was a food sampling corner where Zenxin Agriculture and 5 Star Chicken from CP Group were invited to set up booths for the people to sample their food.

Which came first?: Eleven-year-old Nicholas Paang at the Happy Little Farmer Photo Station posing with a chicken and an egg.
 

FLFAM vice-chairman Lee Lee Kong said the event was an excellent way to expose farm life to children at a young age while changing the misconception some might have about the industry.

“It is good to expose these children to the livestock industry as the young generation tend to perceive the livestock industry as being dirty and tiring. As a result, our profession suffers a shortage of young blood,” he said.

“The livestock industry is not only limited to farmers, but also includes veterinarians, animal nutritionists, experts in processing and marketing sectors,” he added.

Alltech Malaysia general manager Dr Richard Chong said it was fantastic to see such a good response from the public for the event.

Program 1AZAM For Livestock

What do you do with only RM10,000 to kick start a livestock project

Department Of Veterinary Services Malaysia

Vision


A competent veterinary authority serving the animal industry for the sake of human welfare


Mission

Provide quality veterinary services as an assurance for public health and sustainable livestock industry for the sake of human welfare



Objective

Strengthen and maintain animal health status conducive to the animal industry

Public health assurance through the control of zoonotic diseases and wholesome food production from animal based products

Encourage sustainable livestock production and value added industry

Explore, develop and encourage the use of technology and optimum use of sources in animal based industry

Promote animal welfare practices in all aspect of rearing and production system

To know more above DVS please log on to http://www.dvs.gov.my/

Ostrich Farming In Sarawak

This is one of the Ostrich Farm in Malaysia. Population of more than 300 heads of Ostrich.

The 5 hectare Sibu Ostrich Farm, located at Teku Road, is one the first ostrich farm in Sarawak .

‘Empurau’ business lucrative, says Jabu

by Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith January 14, 2010, Thursday

Minister hopes to attract investors; promises help to get them going

TARAT: Current ‘empurau’ fish production cannot even meet local demand but this could change if plans to attract more entrepreneurs into the breeding business over the short term prove successful.Modernisation of Agriculture Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who was on a working visit to the Indigenous Fisheries Research and Production Centre here yesterday, said while many know that the ‘empurau’ fetches a “gold price”, few realise that it can actually be bred in their backyard.

Jabu, who is deputy chief minister, said: “Today ‘empurau’ sells up to RM400 per kg while a kilogramme dish served at any top-notched restaurant could well go with a RM1,000 tag.
“That should serve as an eye-opener to those with the right attitude to venture into ‘empurau’ rearing. We will help.

“At the moment, we have adopted one farmer from Kota Samarahan and he mostly caters for restaurants. He also exports live fish to West Malaysia and based on the sales report, clearly the potential of the industry is very good.

“Now, the plan is to develop and to attract entrepreneurs with the expertise in fish rearing projects. We can’t cater for the overseas market as we can’t even fulfil the local demand. Our main concern now is to produce enough quantity and quality ‘empurau’ for the domestic market.
“I believe we can do that.”

He disclosed that his ministry had written a formal letter of recommendation to the State Secretary Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani proposing that the project be further developed and expanded.

Jabu said Morshidi had held a comprehensive meeting with the State Planning Unit Director Datu Ismawi Ismuni and that Morshidi had also briefed the cabinet on the proposal that the development of the industry be incorporated under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
He said the ministry would also cooperate with all relevant departments and ministries with a view to utilising the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy’s (SCORE) halal hub.
On the facilities in Tarat, Jabu said: “The rearing project is currently in the trial stages. We are still studying the system to identify whether the tank or the open river (Tagang) system would produce better results.”

According to him, with good management, the fish could grow up to 1.5kg per year.
“The most important aspects are water breeding quality, types of feed and regular feeding.
“I plead with the management to extend their research and development where latest technology will be introduced. They must improve the water circulation system and ensure that there will not be any shortage of water especially during the dry season.

“We will adopt better technology to make sure the re-circulated water is always treated and remain clean. In aquaculture, the number one enemy is pollution,” Jabu said.
Another technology that Jabu hoped could be introduced is the ozone and ionisation of the water to kill the bacteria, which can stunt the growth of the fish.

Jabu also stated that his ministry had set a two-year plan to utilise the available land at the agriculture station to increase storage tank volume and introduce new technology.
“That is why we must increase our efficiency and improve the breeding infrastructure. With a bigger capacity, the centre could produce twice as much. Once we have improved in this sense, we will invite ministers from other ministries to visit as an eye-opener. They will then see the investment needed to realise the potential of ‘empurau’ breeding business,” Jabu said.
At the moment, there are 125 ‘empurau’ fish at the station, all purely for breeding purposes.
According to Jabu, his ministry is interested in increasing the number of breeders and looking at ready investors in Ulu Limbang, Ulu Baram, Ulu Kapit, Ulu Baleh, Ulu Katibas and probably in Batang Ai where the different species of ‘empurau’ exist.

“In the villagers, we will assist and encourage these breeders by teaching them the ‘tagang’ System. Our target is to produce in very large numbers. We would also make sure that the species at the river will not be affected as we will also reseed and distribute the brood stock properly to replenish the ones harvested at the river,” Jabu added.

Related Posts
No Related Post

-->

10 TH MALAYSIA PLAN

We are in the process of writing and prepare the 10 th Malaysia Plan. A lot of thinking and brainstorming needed. But due to acute shortage of staff we may forgo some of the ideas and our strategy. I hope we have plenty of Veterinarian in goverment sector to assist us.

It’s global market for Halal Park

Taib confident latest know-how employed by Taiwanese capable of producing what international market wants
TANJONG MANIS: Bio-technology will widen the market chain for the Tanjung Manis halal hub, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said. In fact, he said, the application of bio-technology not only would augur well for the sustainable growth of the halal industry but would also act as the catalyst for the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
“While the halal concept is aimed at tapping the huge Muslim market, bio-technology will further widen the market chain globally,” Taib said when officiating at the earth-breaking ceremony of Tanjung Manis Halal Park - Parcel 1 here yesterday.

Tanjung Manis Halal Park is undertaken by Taiwan’s Sea Party Group of Companies which has put in RM2 billion worth of investment worth for the development of Parcel 1(Phase 1) of the park. Taib noted yesterday that the company would employ the latest technology in aquaculture and biotechnology to ensure high quality food production readily acceptable by the international communities. Of this Taib said: “The bio-tech farmed fish, prawn and livestock are not only free from chemical contamination but that they will contain high level of EPA/DHA, meaning that they will fetch high price as well.”

According to Taib, because the state government recognises the fact that the application of bio-technology relies heavily on research and technology (R&D), it has offered 200 acres of land for free to the company to set up the company’s R&D centre in Tanjung Manis Halal Park. He also said that the state government was appreciative of the company’s preference for the use of solar energy to fossil fuel. Taib hoped that the company would realise its vision of turn Tanjung Manis into the country’s first ‘Solar City’.
“As a gesture of appreciation, the government has offered the company 200 acres of land for free to set up their R&D,” Taib reiterated. He said in as far as saving the environment was concerned, on the government’s part, it had decided to locate all future shipbuilding activities in further places like Bruit or Tanjung Sirik.On local participation, he advised that the people to accord special attention to education, saying that with basic education, skills training would not be hard to impart.He said many job opportunities would soon emerge and not few of these would come from the halal hub.“I hope the local people will be able to earn a monthly income of RM3000 to RM4000 by 2030, hence raise our capital income to RM250,000 from the current RM27,000,” he said.

Among those present at the function were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Minister of Resource Planning and Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, president of Sea Party Technology Co Ltd Dr Ray Lin, Tanjung Manis MP Datuk Norah Tun Abdul Rahman, Assistant Minister of Tourism Hamden Ahmad and Sarawak Timber Industries Development Corporation general manager Datu Len Talif Salleh.