by Yvonne T
KUCHING, Nov 25: Sarawak is negotiating export protocols to supply live pigs to Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Penang, said Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben.
He said, the State, which is already exporting live pigs to Singapore and Selangor, aims to boost production to 860,000 pigs annually by 2030.
He added, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development through Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (JPVS), is currently negotiating export protocols with both regions.
“By 2030, Sarawak will be able to produce 860,000 pigs per year worth RM1.5 billion with an export value of RM723.0 million.
“JPVS will also expand the market by encouraging the production of value-added products and downstream products from pigs,” he said in response to Serembu assemblyman Datuk Miro Simuh during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Sitting today.
To further strengthen the State’s pig farming industry, he said JPVS is advancing the Modern Pig Farm (MPF) concept, which is a private sector-driven model that will operate under continuous monitoring from the JPVS and other relevant departments.
On efforts to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), he said monitoring and investigations are ongoing. JPVS will also intensify biosecurity awareness programmes, particularly for smallholder or backyard farmers, to prevent further transmission of the disease. – DayakDaily
