BUMIPUTERA PARTICIPATION IN LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY TO BE BOOSTED TO MEET 2030 SSR TARGETS 

KUALA SELANGOR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Bumiputera participation in the livestock sector, as the nation’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for several key commodities remains low and far from the national targets set for 2030.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said last year’s data showed the SSR for beef remained around 17 per cent, goat meat (9 per cent) and fresh milk (67 per cent), highlighting the urgent need to increase domestic production more aggressively.

He said that for commodities such as chicken and eggs, stable SSR levels have been achieved at 93 per cent and 107 per cent respectively, but the country must not be complacent and should continue exploring wider export potential.

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“In line with the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030 (NAP 2.0), the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has set a target of RM19.7 billion in value-added contribution from the livestock sector.

“This includes increasing the SSR for chicken meat and chicken/duck eggs to 140 per cent and 123 per cent respectively, while maintaining the SSR for beef/buffalo meat at 50 per cent, goat/sheep meat at 30 per cent and fresh milk at 100 per cent by 2030,” he said.

He said this in his speech at the launch of the Colla Cattle Farm (RSC) Abattoir here today.

Mohamad said that to achieve these goals, his ministry will continue to support new commercial companies and existing livestock operators to increase investment in the ruminant industry through technical assistance and suitable incentives.

He said strengthening the ruminant ecosystem involves breeding, animal health including vaccine development, reducing feed costs, improving marketing systems and adopting modern farm technologies.

“The ministry and related agencies must intensify efforts to ensure that the implementation of all new and existing programmes is closely monitored so that SSR targets are achieved on schedule.

“Every initiative must deliver direct impact on increasing the country’s ruminant production, not merely existing as records on paper,” he said.

Mohamad also expressed concern over the smuggling of ruminant animals from neighbouring countries, which poses risks related to disease control and market stability, potentially complicating efforts to boost SSR and reduce the nation’s import dependency.

He said therefore cooperation from all parties is needed to curb such activities, while authorities must play their role by taking firm action against any individuals found to be involved.

“One of the major issues affecting the industry is the smuggling of ruminant animals from neighbouring countries, which poses risks to disease control and market stability.

“This issue is currently being addressed through initiatives to curb smuggling activities along the Malaysia–Thailand border, in cooperation with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), the National Security Council (MKN), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS),” he said.

-- BERNAMA