GOVT COMMITTED TO RAISING RUMINANT LIVESTOCK SELF-SUFFICIENCY RATE - MOHAMAD SABU

KINABATANGAN, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to raising Malaysia’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for ruminant livestock from the current 20 per cent to 50 per cent by 2030, according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said the target, covering production of buffaloes, cattle and goats, aligns with the national agenda to strengthen food security.

As ambitious as it seems, Mohamad expressed confidence that it can be achieved through effective programme implementation and sustained efforts across the agri-food sector.

“We are currently at about 20 per cent, still a long way to go. But with the food security programmes being rolled out, we believe we can reach 50 per cent by 2030,” he told reporters after launching the AGRO MADANI Outreach Programme here today.

Mohamad said various food security initiatives are being implemented and planned to boost domestic production, including active participation from grassroots farming communities.

He cited the Kota Kinabatangan Area Farmers’ Organisation’s proposal for a closed-system broiler chicken project under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) for the ministry as an example of translating national policy into local action.

The RM2.4 million project, which has been approved, is expected to produce 30,000 chickens per cycle and operate up to four cycles a year, contributing to the national SSR target while generating sustainable annual income for the organisation.

Planned for Bukit Garam, Mohamad said the project incorporates agricultural modernisation through closed-house systems, smart farming technology and Internet of Things (IoT)-based digital monitoring, supported by basic infrastructure such as farm roads and stable water and electricity supply.

Mohamad said the ministry intends to replicate such high-impact, commercially viable projects elsewhere, citing their strong return on investment and potential to improve farmers’ livelihoods through dividends and job creation.

“We hope that if this succeeds here, it can be expanded to other areas. What matters most is sustainability,” he said.

-- BERNAMA