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