‘Modern large-scale commercial PFA proposed for Selangau’
The first PFA is in Pasir Puteh in Simunjan. The farm with its own abattoir is doing very well and is exporting 2,000 live pigs to Singapore every week besides pork products. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah
SELANGAU: A modern largescale commercial pig farming area (PFA) has been proposed at Sungai Selabi near here.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, the farm will be on a 233ha site.
He said a few private investors, including from Peninsular Malaysia, had voiced their interest to participate in the project.
Speaking after officiating at the closing of the Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) at Rh Anas Akang, Sungai Gedung in Kuala Arip yesterday, he said it would be the second such farm in the state.
“The first PFA is in Pasir Puteh in Simunjan. The farm with its own abattoir is doing very well and is exporting 2,000 live pigs to Singapore every week besides pork products.
“It has over 60,000 live pigs. Last year its turnover was RM70 million,” Uggah said.
He added that the Sg Kelawit PFA was meant to increase the number of pigs for export.
He said Sarawak should leverage on its advantage that it is still free from the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as well as the African Swine Fever (ASF).
He said the proposed PFA would use environment friendly technology for the breeding as well as to handle farm discharge.
“We are now awaiting the State Planning Unit to give its approval to the chosen site,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the function Uggah announced a grant of RM500,000 for those interested in livestock breeding including pig farming for the Kakus state constituency.
“We want to build up local interest in pig farming. The Agriculture Department is also inviting young farmers to attend artificial insemination course to help them produce more piglets.
“There is a great demand for piglets in the state. We see great potentials in its breeding,” he said.
On agriculture, he also announced a grant of RM1 million to further facilitate its development in the constituency, in addition to the RM1 million given earlier.
Uggah said there had been increasing applications from farmers interested in swiflet ranching, stingless bee (kelulut) honey production, livestock breeding and sago planting.
He also said the Agriculture Department would study the possibility of setting up a collection, processing and packaging centre ( CPPC) and incubation centre in Selangau to help farmers learn new food processing skills or to sell their products.
Senators Datu Dr Nuing Jeluing and Rita Insol, Salcra general manager Joseph Blandoi, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department deputy director Dr Sajem Jinim and senior representatives from the Agriculture Department headquarters Ronald Ripit and Dominic Chungat were among those present at the function.