THE Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development is committed to achieve the targeted beef self-sufficiency level (SSL) of 25 per cent or a standing population of around 60,000 heads of beef cattle by 2030.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom revealed that the pace of development for the beef sub-sector is still far from meeting the SSL as the cattle population in the state was estimated to be around 17,000 heads as of last year.
“One of the strategies to increase cattle population in Sarawak is by introducing and enforcing a policy of ‘No Slaughtering of Productive Cow’ as practiced in Peninsular Malaysia and other countries such as Indonesia and Thailand. The introduction of this policy is imperative to achieve the targeted cattle population,” he said.
He said this in his ministerial winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on today (May 23).
With the current demand for beef largely met by the import of live animals and frozen or chilled beef, Dr Rundi said his ministry will continue to implement various initiatives to increase local production by having a structured breeding programme and strengthening the existing cattle development involving smallholders and private sector as well as advisory and support services.
He said currently about 75 per cent of the cattle population in Sarawak are under oil palm estates while the rest of 25 per cent cattle population are reared by smallholders.
“Through these development programmes including the Cattle Pawah scheme, high quality breeders will be purchased to increase the population of cattle breeders.The acquired breeder stock will then be distributed to several agriculture-related agencies as well as to deserving small-holders for breeding.
“A total of 5,044 heads of cattle have been distributed under the Cattle Pawah Scheme to 39 estates and 66 entrepreneurs since 2016. Through this programme, the standing population of cattle has increased by 12,700 heads or more than two-fold.
“This year, 640 heads of cattle breeder will be imported from Australia with an allocation of RM5 million,” he said.
In ensuring the success of these programmes, the ministry has invited Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) to initiate several breeding and fattening centres in view of their vast experience as a Pawah Scheme participant and complemented by large-scale oil palm plantations.
In addition, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak has successfully attracted the participation of the private sector to boost the cattle, buffalo and goat population.
To date, Temudok Livestock Station in Sri Aman division, Karabungan Station in Miri division and Meragang Livestock Station in Limbang division have been privatised for the commercial production of cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep.
Each station is expected to produce between 500 and 1,000 heads of cattle, buffalo and goat by 2025.
“To accelerate the growth of the livestock industry, my ministry is also planning to establish a Livestock Biotechnology Centre in Sungai Pinang Station in Samarahan division to produce cattle semen to boost the cattle population. The establishment of the biotechnology centre will allow intensification of research and development activities in modern farming technology such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer,” Dr Rundi added.
