Poultry farmer bounces back after suffering losses
KUALA NERANG: Despite losing more than RM30,000 in an aborted sale, ex-teacher Habsah Abdul Rahman bounced back in her poultry farming business in Kampung Perik, Mukim Kurung Hitam here.
“I was deceived by a buyer, who ordered 2,000 free- range live chicken ( ayam kampung) four years ago, but cancelled it at the eleventh hour, causing an oversupply of chicken from my farm.
“I was fortunate as FAMA (the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority) came to my aid and bought the chicken at RM6.50 per kg, instead of the ex- farm price of RM13 per kg,” Habsah, 61, who was Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Darulaman ex- teacher, told reporters here yesterday.
The setback taught Habsah that she could not rely entirely on live chicken sales, instead she invested RM50,000 to branch out into processed and frozen chicken, as well as chicken- based products (rendang, curry and floss), which were well- received in Jitra and Alor Setar.
Habsah is assisted by her grandson Wan Elyas Wan Ahmad, 23, and an employee in rearing about 3,000 chickens, chicks and quails, for which she has a hatchery equipment.
In order to reduce operating costs, Habsah produces her own poultry feed from leftover food, cereals and fruits with the guidance of the Kedah Veterinary Services Department.
She has also received financial aid from the Kedah Regional Development Authority to build chicken coops and buy processed chicken vacuum packaging equipment.
“I’m now in the process securing the Ministry of Health’s Safe Food Industry Responsibility Certificate ( MeSTI) to enable me to export chicken overseas,” she said, adding that her ex- farm price of free- range chicken is RM13 per kg while chicks and quails RM3 per kg.