Good potential for cattle farming in Sarawak

The State Government should not go into cattle farming in oil palm plantation before making a thorough study of the suitability of such a project according to

State Assemblywoman, Violet Yong.

Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture had stated last Saturday that there is money in cattle farming as the SEDC would consider the possibility of forming smart partnership with Salcra, Felda, Felcra and other firms.

"I am all for development and the outcome of any development that would benefit the people of Sarawak. But before implementation, the State must be responsible and ensure that there is transparency of the findings of the project before embarking on it blindly. I am sure we do not want a Sarawak cowgate issue," she said.

Violet said if the cattle farming is restricted to farming, the Opposition would support it but definitely, the investment should not go into buying of condo or buying of luxury cars or for certain people's vacation.

She said in 2005 when the then DCM, Tan Sri George Chan was holding the position of Modernization of Agriculture, he had also mentioned cattle farming but it appeared that it was only hot air.

Violet said in a finding done by Unimas students in 2008 that any cattle rearing on oil palm plantation should take into consideration of benefit of livestock intergration on the soil, crop and livestock productivity. The findings from Unimas stated that, "There are urgent needs to continue to explore the potential of livestock-oil palm intergration system in the area,"