KUCHING, August 1: Sarawak is poised to be a major player in the edible bird’s nest (EBN) industry.
This follows the accreditation of four EBN processing plants by China Accreditation Authority which allows Sarawak to export raw, clean EBN, and in the near future, raw, unclean EBN to China.
“In 2017, Sarawak recorded exports valued at RM28 million and produced about 20 metric tonnes of raw, unclean EBN.
“EBN processing plants target to process 50 metric tonnes of raw, clean EBN for export with the value of RM500 million per year by 2030,” said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the 18th Asian Australasian Animal Production (AAAP) Congress Dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here this evening.
His speech text was read out by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The 18th AAAP Congress themed “Global Livestock Production in a Challenging Environment” is organised by the Malaysian Society of Animal Production from Aug 1 to 5 at BCCK here.
Abang Johari said livestock production is an important industry in Sarawak as it provides food for local consumption and generates income for the rural population.
“In 2017, the state produced about 210,000 metric tonnes of poultry meat, eggs, beef, mutton, pork and EBN with an estimated farm gate value of RM1.7 billion.
“In 2017, the state of Sarawak produced 720 metric tonnes of beef valued at RM25.2 million and imported 6,525 metric tonnes worth RM165 million to meet the local consumption of 7,245 metric tonnes. Our self-sufficiency level (SSL) for beef is only 10 per cent,” said Abang Johari.
Thus, the state government has set the target of increasing the SSL for beef and mutton from the current 10 per cent to 50 per cent and seven per cent to 50 per cent respectively; and fresh milk from two per cent to 105 per cent.
“To achieve the above targets, several good animal husbandry practices including using suitable breeds, precise nutrition and conducive housing environment for animals as well as the use of innovative technologies such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer will have to be adopted by our farmers to increase their farm productivity.
“It is our hope that the deliberations and findings of this congress will be beneficial in our effort to develop particularly the ruminant industry,” said Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
