KUCHING, Oct 27:Â Sarawak exports RM263million of livestock products in 2018.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah believes this “is a very good achievement.”
“The future is indeed very bright for our livestock industry, and I believe we can surely increase the amount,” he said when officiating Appreciation Dinner of the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) here last night.
“The livestock industry can be a leading sector in achieving the state ambition to be a net food and food product exporter by the year 2030.
“So the first task of DVSS is to push up the state self-sufficiency level (SSL) so we can increase our volume.
“We have achieved 112 per cent SSL for pork, 100 per cent for chicken eggs, 94 for poultry, 45 for milk, 12 for beef but mutton is 0.5 per cent.
“The department can focus on building upon our beef, milk, and mutton,” he said.
Uggah said Sarawak too, is now still free from diseases like the Avian Flu, the African Swine Fever and the Mouth and Foot Disease could threaten the industry.
“This is our comparative advantage in the industry besides the huge tract of land available and our hardworking people.
“On the same note, it is the government’s very wish that the DVSS will continue to protect the state bio-security.
“This shield should continue to be a permanent feature along our long coastline and our borders so we can stay free of diseases.”
On the part of the government, Uggah who is also Second Finance Minister assured that it will continue to strengthen the department and enhance its capability and capacity.
“We will get more staff and facilities and will send the personnel for the courses required. Â We will ensure modern technology like the IoT will be part and parcel of your arsenals,” he said.
He also called on the department to be vigilant against buffalo smuggling into the state which he said was a serious problem.
Meanwhile, Uggah congratulated the department for coming up with a move to acknowledge and appreciate very successful livestock entrepreneurs during the gathering.
“Tonight we are honouring entrepreneurs like Dr Ng Siew Thiam in the pig and dairy cattle categories; May Wong Nyong Moi in edible bird nest and Chai Ming Dian for poultry.
Others role models for poultry industry are Brangka Munan in dairy goat and Datuk Chew Chiaw Han for chicken eggs.
On another matter, Uggah thanked DVSS for being in the frontline in the fight and eradication of the Rabies outbreak.
“You have done a very good job so much so that the public’s perception is that the DVSS was formed to fight and eradicate Rabies since the outbreak was first detected in 2017.
“It has been a most challenging fight for all of us including the various government departments and agencies involved.
“On behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, I wish to congratulate and thank all,” he said.
At the function, Uggah presented the Excellent Service Awards to 19 recipients and Appreciation Letters to eight retiring officers.
The Permanent Secretary to his ministry Awang Johari Awang Mustapha, DVSS director Dr Adrian Susin, and the director of the state Agriculture Department Dr Alvin Chai were among those present. — DayakDaily
