KUALA LUMPUR: The government is intensifying maize farming projects to reduce the 30 percent dependence on food imports for the livestock sector, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin.
He said it was among measures to address the increase in egg prices in the local market as the livestock industry, especially broiler chicken and layer hens, used about 60 percent maize grains in animal feed formulations.
“The development of the country’s livestock industry is largely dependent on imported maize with a value of 1.79 million metric tonnes from the world market, equivalent to RM1.62 billion in 2017.
“Total dependence on imported maize supplies creates risks and instability in the country’s livestock industry,” he said in reply to Senator Datuk Lim Pay Hen’s question at the Dewan Negara yesterday. – Bernama
