5 days ago
Penang livestock sector records higher output
Above: Chow (centre) during the closing ceremony of the Penang Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day 2025 at Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Kepala Batas. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
PENANG'S livestock sector recorded a total output value of RM1.91bil last year, marking an increase of RM41.54mil compared to the previous year.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the figure reflected steady growth in the state's agro-based economy, with livestock farming continuing to play a key role in food supply and rural income.
'The largest commodity contributing to the total Livestock Output Value (NHT) in 2024 was poultry, specifically chickens and ducks, including meat and eggs, which accounted for 91.75% of the overall value,' he said in his speech at Penang Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day celebration at Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai.
Left: Visitors checking out Charolais cattle, known locally as'lembu sado'.
Chow said for self-sustaining livestock industries such as poultry, the implementation of the State Livestock Enactment aimed to promote the transformation of these sectors towards modern, large-scale commercial farming.
He said the use of closed-house systems was a key criterion, not only in enhancing the quantity and quality of production, but also towards making the industry more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Chow said that through the Livestock Industry Development Project, the state government continued to boost the productivity of small-scale and traditional livestock industries such as ruminant farming.
He said programmes related to the prevention, control and eradication of zoonotic diseases remained a top priority to ensure public health was safeguarded and the sustainability of the breeding industry was maintained.
For the fisheries sector, Chow said the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) was implementing various programmes and incentives.
These include Fishermen's Cost of Living Allowance (ESHN), fuel subsidies for petrol and diesel, Fishermen Safety and Protection Scheme, Fishermen Loan Fund Scheme, Disaster and Fund Relief Scheme, Fishermen's Catch Incentive and Special Housing Fishermen project.
He said the development of modern, well-equipped fishery complexes and landing ports was being carried out to ensure that the landing and marketing of catches were conducted in an orderly and systematic manner.
'LKIM is now keeping pace with technology by leveraging innovations such as the Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) method to maximise fishery yields.
'Modern facilities, including ice-making plants, are also being developed to preserve the freshness of the catch,' he added.
Chow said various fish aggregating devices had been built to increase fish stocks through the creation of new habitats under the Offshore Fish Farm Project (LIDL).
He said other initiatives included the Fishery Site Identification (FSI) system, solar thermal fish-drying technology for the downstream industry and aquaculture farming projects.
Chow also visited some of the 80 booths during the event.
Also present were state agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, state secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long and Penang Veterinary Services Department director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab.
Dr Saira Banu confirmed that another farm had been found to be positive with African Swine Fever (ASF), bringing the total number of affected farms to four, all in Kampung Selamat, north Seberang Perai.
She said an outbreak previously detected in Kampung Selamat had been successfully contained.
'Initially, only three farms tested positive for the disease.
'Thanks to swift action and effective control measures, the spread has been brought under control.'
She said no significant new cases had been reported and efforts were ongoing to ensure all other farms remain free from ASF.
Dr Saira Banu advised the farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures on their farms, including keeping outsiders or unsanitised vehicles out of their premises.
She said the department would begin culling at two more farms.
