Posted on July 14, 2012, Saturday
KUCHING:
Sarawak may become a beef exporter and be self sufficient in beef if
Sarawak SEDC took up the challenge of venturing into joint cattle
farming at oil palm plantations throughout the state. Deputy Chief
Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang hoped SEDC would
consider this possibility by forming smart partnership with plantation
big wigs such as Salcra, Felda, Felcra and other firms, including those
operated by individuals.
He said cattle could thrive and breed at
oil palm plantations, and that the meat would be safe, clean and healthy
if good agriculture practices were observed. “This is the time to
tap this new opportunity. It has been done in Selangor, so why
shouldn’t we try it in Sarawak? Through this, SEDC will not only become a
supplier of beef and beef products to the state, but will also be able
to export to the peninsula and abroad.
“My ministry will give its
support,” said Jabu, who is also Minister of Modernisation of
Agriculture, at the launch of ‘Beef Fest’ at Kubah Ria Complex
yesterday. Jabu told those present that Sarawak currently produced
1,170 metric tonnes of beef, but the amount of imported fresh and
frozen beef is 10,000 metric tonnes. Because of the high demand
for beef, he said the state government aimed to increase production of
local beef to 3,920 metric tonnes by 2015.
On the Agriculture
Department’s part, he said the department would implement various
programmes to increase the heads of cattle from 18,000 at present to
25,000 within the next three years. “The state government hopes to
achieve self sufficiency level in beef from eight percent at present to
40 percent in the very near future.”
On SEDC, he said it could be
a flagship company in cattle farming not just for the state but also
the entire nation. He noted that SEDC had already blazed the trail by
becoming the first Malaysian agency to have two cattle farms overseas –
at Rosewood Station in Northern Authority and Strathmere-Beardie
Aggregation in Queensland, Australia.
Jabu also dwelled on a
stigma associated with beef. He said that in reality eating fresh, clean
and healthy beef in the appropriate portion was beneficial to one’s
health. “Apart from protein, fresh beef also contains nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.”
Meanwhile,
SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who was also present, said the
corporation was mulling the possibility of buying cattle bred at
Salcra’s oil palm plantations. He said SEDC, which has 30 years of
experience in beef production, wanted to continue working closely with
the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture.
On the Beef Fest, he
said it was a two-day event to promote the eating of fresh beef.
Various programmes, including a talk on ‘Goodness of Beef’ and cooking
competitions, would be held at Kubah Ria Complex today. “We will
be offering discounts from 12 per cent to 23 per cent. Our beef is
certified fresh and halal, and cheaper than those at other places.”
Also
present yesterday were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar
Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, political secretary to the chief minister Abu
Seman Jahwie, Beting Maro assemblyman Razalli Gapor and SEDC general
manager Soedirman Aini.
No comments:
Post a Comment