Dr Abdul Rahman (centre), flanked by Dr Adrian (right) and Dr Loh, speaking at the press conference. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak targets to increase its self-sufficiency level (SSL) for beef from the current 10 per cent to 50 per cent by year 2030.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail believes that the state can achieve the target with the concerted efforts of the authorities and livestock industry players.
Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, he said Sarawak had attained 100 per cent SSL for both poultry and pork.
However, the state still had to work on hiking its SSL for beef, he said.
As such, Dr Abdul Rahman called upon local livestock industry players to sign up for the 18th Asian Australasian Animal Production (AAAP) Congress 2018 to be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from Aug 1 to 5.
“The aim of the event is to explore strategies for aiding the applications of modern technologies by smallholder and medium scale farmers to enhance the productivity of the livestock industry in the region and contribute to the demand for food security and safety.
“This is what we need to grow and improve our animal production and agriculture industry in line with the Chief Minister’s vision in transforming Sarawak’s agriculture sector so that we can become a top exporter of high quality produce and products,” he said when representing Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the press conference.
Dr Abdul Rahman pointed out that Sarawak, which is blessed with rich resources and land, still has more than two million hectares of land suitable for farming.
He was delighted that the organiser, Malaysian Society of Animal Production (MSAP) had chosen Kuching as the venue for the AAAP Congress 2018.
“We welcome the congress and I’m sure we (the state government) can extend whatever help that is needed. Our task is to make sure the organiser achieves the target of 1,000 delegates,” he said.
He therefore appealed to local livestock industry players to enrol for the congress that is set to encompass a wide variety of topics like animal feed and food security, livestock and climate change, animal breeding, genetics and biotechnology.
Dr Abdul Rahman believed that the topics would offer participants a better understanding of current challenges and enable them to learn how to implement new advances and improvements from other Asean countries involved in the congress.
“This congress is not only beneficial for businesses and those already working in various areas in animal production but also help academicians and students utilise this platform to increase their knowledge, which can potentially help them become future pioneers of new technological breakthroughs in the animal production industry of Sarawak.
“With MSAP as the organiser of this established international event, it will undoubtedly be a successful event that will benefit many people in many different fields in Sarawak.
“And I hope we can continue to have a mutually beneficial relationship with MSAP long after the congress has finished,” he said.
With him at the conference were acting director of state Department of Veterinary Services, Dr Adrian Susin Ambud and organising chairman Prof Dr Loh Teck Chwen, who is vice-president of MSAP.