Negri Sembilan out to revive National Feedlot Centre
SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan is out to revive the 607ha National Feedlot Centre, only this time with the involvement of more local entrepreneurs.
Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun (pic) said he would meet Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub to discuss details after Hari Raya.
“We want more locals to be given priority this time. We are keen to revive the project,’’ he said.
Aminuddin said he would visit the site of the abandoned project in Gemas soon.
In 2007, the state government through
Mentri Besar Incorporated (MBI), leased 607.5ha for a fully integrated livestock farming and beef production facility.
The centre was to manage the import of livestock and handle feedlotting, slaughtering, processing, packing and marketing of beef to meet rising demand for the meat.
The project, which was also aimed at stabilising the price of beef, was in line with the government’s aim of increasing beef production to 40% by 2015.
However, the project did not materialise as planned, despite a RM250mil soft loan having been approved. In December 2014, then mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan pledged to repossess the land for the state to manage the project on its own.
Aminuddin said reviving the project would help meet domestic demand for beef.
“We all know who the project was awarded to previously and that it did not go according to plan. This time, we want more entrepreneurs in the mix,’’ he added.
Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan recently said the project would be revived using a different business model.
He was quoted as saying that the project would remain a private sector initiative and supported by the government.
On another issue, Aminuddin said his Pakatan Harapan administration would have a Deputy Speaker for the State Legislative Assembly.
“This is because we expect debates to stretch,” he said.
Aminuddin said the candidates for Speaker and deputy would be finalised and sworn in on July 2.