By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 19: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development has allocated RM6 million in 2026 through the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) to implement an Animal Feed Initiative using biomass from oil palm, aimed at reducing dependence on imported feed ingredients and strengthening local feed security.
Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the initiative focuses on utilising oil palm biomass, palm kernel and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) meal as alternative feed sources to lower the cost of animal feed production in Sarawak.
“Following the attainment of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification in April 2026, SALCRA is now able to commercially market Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) produced from its Kernel Crushing Plant in Lubok Antu.
“With an annual production capacity of 13,500 metric tonnes, PKE has the potential to reduce maize imports by approximately RM16.8 million annually,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Dr Rundi added that the Smart Insect Farm project for the production of BSF meal is also progressing well and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026, with equipment installation scheduled in the third quarter of the year.
Once operational, the facility is expected to produce about 180 metric tonnes of BSF meal annually.
“As BSF meal can substitute imported soybean and fish meal, the initiative is expected to reduce animal feed imports by about RM600,000 annually,” he said.
The government has also allocated RM1 million to support the development of the BSF industry, he added.
Dr Rundi said Sarawak has been spending heavily on imported raw materials for animal feed, particularly soybean and corn, prompting the government to explore alternative local feed resources.
“On animal feed, we are trying to improve because we spend so much on raw materials and feed. SALCRA has been entrusted to look into using biomass from oil palm, plus palm kernel, plus black soldier fly for protein to reduce reliance on soybean and corn. With that, we are going to reduce the price of animal feed,” he later told a press conference. — DayakDaily
