KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the need to bolster Sarawak’s beef industry to increase self-sufficiency.
With Sarawak’s self-sufficient ration (SSR) standing at only 12 percent, he said Sarawak currently relies on imports from foot and mouth disease (FMD)-free countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
“More research is needed for smart farming and usage of Internet of Things (IoT) in livestock to reduce cost and efficiency.
“Animal feed is also becoming more important as it becomes more expensive to import resulting in an increased meat and egg price in the market,” he said.
He said this in a text of speech read out by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the 22nd Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) and 33rd Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA) Congress 2023 Gala Dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (Nov 4).
On a positive note, he asserted that Sarawak has achieved self-sufficiency in poultry, egg, and pork production, while the state’s dedication to animal health and disease control was also recognised on the international stage.
He noted the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) also acknowledged Sarawak as FMD-free without vaccination after a comprehensive audit in July.
This newfound status, he said, opens doors for Sarawak to export its livestock and livestock products, capitalising on the FMD-free label.
“We take this opportunity to capitalise on the FMD-free status that entitles Sarawak to export its livestock and livestock products.
“Additionally, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) recognised Sarawak’s State Pig Farming Area (PFA) in Simunjan as African Swine Fever (ASF) compartmentalization disease-free, providing further assurance to consumers and trade partners,” he said.
Apart from that, he highlighted Sarawak’s robust exports of livestock and livestock products, amounting to RM190 million in the current year.
He added that the state now aims to become a net exporter of food by 2030, with a projected production value of RM4 billion.
