KUCHING, Oct 13: A total of 28 locals will be involved in pioneering a cattle breeding project at Kampung Merembeh, Bau.
According to a news report from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh said the project was implemented after taking into account that meat in Sarawak is mostly an imported product, as well as the potential for the locals to become pioneers in cattle breeding in the State.
“The project will be managed by the Kampung Merembeh Cattle Breeding Corporation. I chose the project to be implemented in this village because the locals will be the pioneers of cattle farming in Bau, and as it can be a source of a great income for Sarawak,” he said when met by reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for the cattle breeding project in Kampung Merembeh in Bau yesterday.
Miro noted the land clearing and planting of Napier grass, including sugarcane cultivation, to be use as the cattle feed will also be carried out at the early stage of the project.
“It is better to give an opportunity for the local people than to depend on imported meat. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak will teach them in detail on how to raise the cattle through a feedlot system,” he added.
Meanwhile, DVS director Dr Adrian Susil Ambud said DVS Sarawak will be the implementing agent as well as the monitoring body for the project, which is funded under the Agriculture Facilitation Fund (AFF).
He said the project has received an allocation of RM400,000, and DVS are expecting an increase from 12 per cent to 50 per cent of revenue, with the target of breeding 150,000 cattle by 2030.
“It can be further developed by involving the slaughter of halal meat in Siburan Halal Abattoir under PPES Ternak, and the sale of meat can be done directly to the market and restaurants,” he explained. — DayakDaily
