Sarawak a potential key cattle-breeding hub in Malaysia, says DVS director-general
SEMATAN: Sarawak is identified as one of the states in Malaysia that has the potential for the breeding of cattle to boost local production of beef.
According to Veterinary Services Department ( DVS) director- general Dato Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam, four plantation companies have been chosen for vast-breeding of cattle in the state.
The four are DAFFA Plantation, Rimbunan Hijau Plantantion in Lundu, Salcra Plantation in Serian and SPAD Plantation.
“The country’ self- sufficiency on beef is still low, at 27 per cent, and it seems to be falling further.
“If the government does not take any action, the country would not be producing enough beef.
“As such, it is imperative for us to be involved in the breeding of cattle to boost production for local consumption through the Entry Point Project (EPP) 5 programme initiated by the DVS,” he spoke at the EPP 5 corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme in Kampung Serayan Hilir near here Saturday night.
Dr Quaza said the government had provided assistance to the four companies under EPP 5 to increase the cattle population at their respective plantations.
“Some 1,200 ( head of) cattle have been handed over to these companies. Moreover, these companies are expected to produce young cattle. To date, about 800 young cattle have been produced since 2012.
“As the cattle population goes up, companies that have more than 1,000 cattle have to provide assistance to 24 small-time breeders in Sarawak,” he added.
Upon the launch of EPP 5 in June 2011, 16 companies involving 21 plantations had been chosen to be part of the programme. Of the total, four companies were from Sarawak.
Since 2012, a total of 1,200 head of cattle worth RM7.9 million had been distributed.
The programme is also aimed at steering Malaysia towards achieving the developed country status by 2020, with the objective of registering per capita gross national income ( GNI) worth RM5.275 billion and creating 27,200 jobs.