Bird’s nest farming licences to be issued by state govt
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) Datuk Junz Wong announced the good news that all licenses on bird’s nest farming will be approved, processed and issued by the state government.
Junz said the ministry had finalized with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry on the discretion of issuing all licenses which included bird’s nest farming, downstream raw clean, processing plants and export.
“With the restoration of the relevant executive power, the bird’s nest farmers and industry players gain direct access to exporting to overseas markets such as China, which has high demand for bird’s nest products,” Junz said.
The minister encouraged more Sabahans to set up downstream processing facilities to create more jobs for locals as well as increasing the market share.
Sabah will be eyeing exporting 100 tonnes monthly of bird’s nest products to China.
Junz delivered the “good news” while officiating at a Bird’s Nest Briefing Program to Sabah Bird’s Nest Association in Discovering the Market Potential on Bird’s Nest Products, held in Pan Borneo Hotel, Putatan.
He ensured that MAFI would simplify the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to facilitate bird’s nest farming.
“We are looking into building the complete chain industry of the bird’s nest industry,” Junz stressed.
“The Department of Veterinary Services will give whatever assistance we can.”
China alone can consume up to 100 tonnes per month, Junz said, adding MAFI would work out a master plan on how to facilitate Sabah players to capitalize on this.
He also threw the idea of setting up Bird’s Nest Board to consolidate and be more focused in building this industry including building Sabah’s own bird’s nest branding.
“We may also enact laws to curb bird’s nest theft, regulate the industry and also ensure business friendly environment,” he said.