By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 28: Construction on two more cattle breeding and fattening centres in Bau here and Rimbas, Debak in Betong will commence in the third quarter of 2024 and the centres are expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2026.
Sarawak’s Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the two were among three centres which are to be established by Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) alongside Mayang Breeding and Fattening Centre in Serian.
“Once completed, these centres will have a total holding capacity of 1,500 heads of cattle and are targeted to produce more than 1,000 calves annually.
“The establishment of breeding and fattening centres will also enable the rapid adoption of precision breeding in the livestock industry such as the utilisation of animal sexed semen through Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer technology,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Dr Rundi also said that a total of RM12 million has been approved under Alternative Funding for SALCRA to upgrade, expand, and build breeding infrastructure and facilities to establish these breeding and fattening centres.
To date, the Mayang Cattle Breeding and Fattening Centre in Serian has been established and is already in operation.
It has a holding capacity of 300 heads of cattle, and it will be upgraded to achieve a holding capacity of 500 heads. As at end of October 2023, the centre has sold 381 heads of cattle worth RM2.36 million.
Currently, SALCRA has around 3,300 heads of cattle in nine estates across Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman and Betong Divisions covering an area of approximately 10,000 hectares. — DayakDaily
