Sarawak aims to produce 30 per cent of beef supply to meet local demand
LIMBANG: Sarawak aims to produce 30 per cent of its beef supply to meet local demand in the state by 2030.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said Sarawak currently only attained five per cent of beef consumed in the state, which he said was low compared to other states..
He said 10,000 cows had been bought from Australia since 2000 until now under the Pawah Cattle Integration Project.
“We will expand the Pawah Cattle Integration Project with oil palm plantations in Sarawak.
“So far, 50 oil palm estates participated in the project in several areas in Sarawak including Kuching, Miri and Limbang Divisions,” he told the media during a working visit to the Pawah Cattle Integration Project owned by Jonathan Jerry, 24, at Bukit Impas here yesterday.
Dr Abdul Rahman, who is Bukit Kota assemblyman, said under the Pawah Cattle Integration scheme, the ministry provides free loan of livestock to entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming cow breeders.
He said when the cow produces a calf, the calf will be given to the entrepreneur concerned for breeding while the cattle on loan has to be returned.
For Limbang division, he said 163 cows were given to three participants.
“Of the total, 100 cows were given to two participants in Lawas and 63 to Jonathan in Limbang.
“Participants need to take advantage of this scheme to successfully breed the cattle so that they can produce beef in six years,” he said.
Meanwhile Jerry said RM300,000 had been spent to rear the 63 cattle on his 200-acre farm since last year.
Jerry, the pioneer in the Pawah Cattle Integration Project in Limbang plans to expand his cattle business by building more infrastructure in his farm.
Also present were Limbang Division Veterinary Officer Dr William Rovina Nating and Jonathan’s father, Jerry Siran, 54.