logo
13MP: Sarawak Needs Large Allocation To Boost Ruminant Industry

13MP: Sarawak Needs Large Allocation To Boost Ruminant Industry

Barnama23-05-2025
KUCHING, May 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak needs a bigger allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to strengthen the ruminant industry in the state, thereby achieving at least 50 per cent self-sufficiency for the local market.
Serembu assemblyman, Miro Simuh said the ruminant industry needs to be given serious and comprehensive attention in the state's development planning so that Sarawak can be self-sufficient in meat supply, especially during festive seasons such as Hari Raya Aidiladha.
'I also propose that special attention be given to the Sarawak Ruminant Policy led by the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS).
'There should be higher emphasis on matters such as improving genetic quality and focus on domestic breeding to attract small breeders or investments from larger and more modern private companies,' he said.
He said this when debating the motion of thanks for the address of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.
Miro said output from the ruminant industry in Sarawak is extremely low, with the state's ruminant industry self-sufficiency rate still below 20 per cent.
According to him, the development of the local livestock feed industry also deserves attention as an important supporting component in the livestock industry chain.
He proposed that the state government introduce certain incentives to attract local investors to set up livestock feed factories, thus boosting the ruminant industry ecosystem sustainably and comprehensively.
He also proposed that DVSS conduct more training and technical courses, technology transfer and farm management for those interested in venturing into the livestock industry.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP
NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP

THE 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has big ideas for the agrofood sector. High time, we say. It has been treated as a stepchild since the country transitioned to manufacturing in the 1980s. That should change by 2030, when the 13MP reforms the sector, leading to RM58 billion in value creation. Self-sufficiency rates are also being scaled up to 80 per cent for rice, 98 per cent for fisheries, 83 per cent for fruits, 79 per cent for vegetables, 140 per cent for poultry, 123 per cent for eggs and 50 per cent for beef and buffalo meat. Ambitious? Yes, given that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has to hit the targets within five years, on top of resolving numerous issues plaguing the agrofood sector. Surely, an unenviable task. Land is a big ticket item, with most of what is available being devoted to industrial crops such as oil palm and rubber, because they are more profitable. In 2020, 7.6 million hectares of arable land was used for agriculture, of which 5.2 million was dedicated to industrial crops. Little wonder, our Asean neighbours' agrofood products are everywhere. Former director of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Rozhan Abu Dardak, provides another reason why this is so in his article published in the Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre Agricultural Policy Platform website on April 14: Vietnam dedicated 33 million hectares for rice cultivation. Thailand 9.2 million hectares, Indonesia 10.6 million hectares and the Philippines 5.6 million hectares. What about Malaysia? Of the 996,950ha dedicated to the agrofood sector, only 373,383ha is being used to cultivate rice. The rest is used for growing fruits, other food crops and vegetables, the last, a measly 64,220ha to work on. If that is not enough, the agrofood sector has to compete with industries and housing for land. More land for agrofood should certainly be a reform to aim for. There is one reality our policymakers often miss. Malaysia is a land of small things. Like the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that dominate the country's economy, so do small-scale farms. According to Rozhan, more than 90 per cent of Malaysian farmers own small plots of land, averaging 2.5ha per person. Logically, bigger means better yields. But that doesn't mean technology can't be made to work on small plots to increase yields. Like we have learnt to live with SMEs, we must learn to live with small-scale farms. What the agrofood sector reform should focus on are the farms themselves: the what and how of the trade. The skyrocketing prices of farm inputs, too, are making farming a challenging vocation. Farmers need help. Providing subsidies to those who deserve it is one way. The 13MP's move to incentivise young agroentrepreneurs takes the reform to a good place. We are a nation of old farmers, most of whom are in their 60s. At that age, farming is a struggle. Malaysians will be keeping a keen eye on the agrofood sector reforms, because what happens in the farms will determine whether or not we have home-grown food on the table.

13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system
13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system

PENAMPANG: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will develop a Price and Supply Repository System during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the system would enable the government to monitor prices and supply comprehensively from producers and wholesalers to retailers and consumers. "With this supply and pricing data chain, the government can monitor more effectively and detect manipulation by middlemen who inflate prices. "The ministry will collaborate with various ministries, including the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Madani Nationhood Seminar organised by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM) at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) here today. Armizan said the system will not only strengthen the food supply chain but also help detect exactly where price hikes or manipulation occur within the distribution process. At the same time, a study on the factors behind price differences in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan was launched this year. A separate Price Stability Committee has been established for each state. He said that the committee, co-chaired by himself and Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister, Datuk James Ratib, will evaluate five key items in Sabah, including chicken prices. Armizan also said a preliminary report had already been presented by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for Sabah and Labuan, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is conducting the study for Sarawak. "UMS has proposed five essential items that can be addressed in the short term to solve the issue. "We will examine their initial findings before proceeding to the second phase of the study," he said. – Bernama

King's historic state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties, says Ambassador
King's historic state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties, says Ambassador

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

King's historic state visit to Russia underscores deepening bilateral ties, says Ambassador

MOSCOW: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia from Aug 5-10 has been described as the highlight of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, said Malaysia's Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai. He said the visit is the highest-level ever made and the first by a Malaysian head of state to Russia since diplomatic relations were established in April 1967. "His Majesty's state visit, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, is a recognition of the five decades of diplomatic ties with Malaysia, which was among the earliest Asean countries to establish ties with the then Soviet Union. "This visit also reflects the crucial role of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the context of international relations,' he told Bernama here on Sunday (Aug 1) in conjunction with Sultan Ibrahim's state visit. Cheong said the visit will begin in Moscow, where His Majesty is scheduled to hold an official meeting with Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Both leaders are expected to discuss potential cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, higher education, technology and innovation, people-to-people ties, digital transformation, agriculture and food security, as well as regional and international issues. "This highest-level visit will certainly have a high impact in increasing the momentum and positive trend of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Russia. "It sends the message that Malaysia is serious and committed to efforts to strengthen and improve bilateral relations with Russia in all fields, particularly strategic cooperation and people-to-people ties,' he said. Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday (Aug 5) and will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin on Wednesday (Aug 6), before holding an official meeting with Putin and attending a state banquet hosted by the Russian President. His Majesty is also scheduled to receive an audience from the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub. On Friday (Aug 8), Sultan Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, the fifth largest city in Russia, to receive an audience from the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, at the Kazan Kremlin. Both parties are expected to discuss potential collaboration in the trade, investment, halal industry sectors and agricultural technology. His Majesty is also scheduled to attend a reception ceremony hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant to observe the manufacturing operations of civilian, defence and rescue helicopters. Russia is currently Malaysia's ninth-largest trading partner among European countries and 28th globally, with bilateral trade valued at RM11.46bil (US$2.48bil) in 2024. For the period January to June 2025, Malaysia-Russia trade volume was recorded at RM4.13bil (US$945.7mil). — Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store