SELANGAU, Oct 28: A modern large scale commercial pig farming area (PFA) has been proposed at Sungai Selabi near here.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, the farm which will be the second PFA in Sarawak will be built on a 233-hectare site at Sungai Selabi, Selangau.
During a visit here today, Uggah revealed that a few private investors including those from Peninsular Malaysia had expressed their interest to participate in the project.
“The proposed PFAis to increase the number of pigs for export.
“Sarawak should leverage on its advantage where it is still free from the Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) as well as the African Swine Fever (ASF).
“The proposed PFA would use environmentally friendly technology for the breeding as well as to handle farm discharge.
“We are now awaiting the State Planning Unit to give its approval to the chosen site,” he said at the closing of a programme organised by the Agriculture Department, Agriculture Community Outreach Programme (AgriCOP) at Rh Anas Akang, Sungai Gedung here today.
Meanwhile, Uggah who is Modernisation Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister also announced a grant of RM500,000 for those interested in livestock breeding including pig farming for the Kakus state constituency at the event.
“We want to build up local interest in pig farming.
“The Agriculture Department is also inviting young farmers to attend an artificial insemination course to help them produce more piglets.
“There is a great demand for piglets in the state.
“We see great potential in its breeding,” he added.
Besides, Uggah who is Second Finance Minister also announced another grant of RM1 million to further facilitate its development in the Kakus constituency in addition to the RM1 million given earlier.
Uggah said there had been increasing applications from farmers interested in swiftlet ranching, stingless bee (kelulut) honey production, livestock breeding and sago planting.
He added the Agriculture Department would study the possibility of setting up a Collection, Processing and Packaging Centre(CPPC)-cum -incubation centre in Selangau to help farmers learn new food processing skills or to sell their products.
Two senators Datu Dr Nuing Jeluing and Rita Insol, Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) general manager Joseph Blandoi, a Deputy Directory of the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department Dr Sajem Jinim and senior representatives from the Agriculture Department Ronald Ripit and Dominic Chungat were among those present at the function. —DayakDaily
Uggah (third right) witnessing the presentation of a grant by Dr Nuing (second right) to a recipient. Also seen is Rita (right).
