THE Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development plans to set up a Ruminant Biotechnology Centre at Sungai Pinang, Simunjan as an effort to strengthen the ruminant (like cattle, sheep and goats) industry in the state.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said a sum of RM2 million will be allocated for the initial development.
“This centre will focus on research in genetic improvement and the use of modern breeding technologies such as embryo transfer and other related studies,” he said.
He said this in reply to Miro Simuh (GPS-Serembu) who wanted to know the steps taken by the ministry to improve ruminant livestock breeding in Sarawak during the question-and-answer session here today.
Abdul Rahman said there is also a plan to establish the Sarawak Livestock Development Board in the near future, which will coordinate the overall ruminant livestock industry in Sarawak.
On what initiatives are included in Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 for ruminant livestock farming, Abdul Rahman said several initiatives has been taken for ruminant livestock farming.
“This includes continuing the ruminant livestock distribution scheme by providing high-quality breeding stock from Australia to be distributed to farmers.
“This year, 1,430 ruminant animals consisting of 650 cattle, 300 buffalo, and 490 sheep were distributed to 23 participants,” he said.
He added the initiatives included strengthening the integration of cattle farming with oil palm estates
“Through this programme, the cattle population has increased to 13,000 animals, with 9,750 or 75 per cent contributed by private oil palm estates and 3,250 or 25 per cent by smallholders,” he said.
Besides that, he said the livestock breeding and fattening centres have also been established through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) at Rimbas, Betong; Mayang and Siburan, Serian; and Stenggang, Bau.
“In addition, the initiative included privatising livestock stations in Temudok, Sri Aman (for goats and sheep), Karambungan, Miri (for cattle), and Maragang, Lawas (for buffalo),” he said.
Overall, he said that as of 2024, the ruminant livestock population is approximately 35,000, compared to 32,000 last year.
