Joseph (standing fourth left) is seen during the marking of boundaries for the proposed Bisaya Buffalo Farm.
LIMBANG (Sept 18): The proposed Bisaya Buffalo Farm project here will be a strategic initiative to preserve the Bisaya community’s heritage while boosting its economy.
Sarawak Bisaya Association (PBS) president Datu Joseph Blandoi said the commercial project would involve modern livestock rearing, downstream industry development, and agro-tourism.
He said this after a joint site visit with Batu Danau assemblyman Dato Paulus Palu Gumbang, who also chairs the Sarawak Bisaya Charitable Trust (SBCT), to identify and mark the boundaries of the proposed farm site.
Joseph said Paulus had thanked Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari for approving the project, describing it as an important step towards safeguarding Bisaya heritage while opening up new opportunities for the community.
“This visit also served as an important engagement session with community leaders, particularly the KMKK, to explain the project’s objectives, concept, and direction. Their understanding and involvement are essential to ensure the project truly reflects the community’s needs, aspirations and interests,” he said in a post on Facebook.
Joseph noted that for the Bisaya community, the buffalo is far more than livestock — it is deeply woven into the culture, identity, and traditional way of life.
Buffaloes have long featured in wedding customs, funeral rites, and cultural celebrations such as Pesta Babulang and buffalo races, he said, adding that they also once played a central role in agriculture and rural livelihoods.
“The proposed Bisaya Buffalo Farm should therefore not be seen merely as a livestock project. It carries a bigger purpose — preserving our cultural heritage while generating economic value through buffalo breeding, job and income opportunities, community participation, and a stronger economic foundation for the Bisaya people,” he said.
He added that the next steps involve finalising the site and its boundaries, drawing up a practical implementation plan, mobilising the necessary resources, and establishing a clear framework for community involvement and farm management.
“With strong leadership, proper planning and a shared sense of ownership among the community, the Bisaya Buffalo Farm has the potential to become a sustainable cultural, social, and economic asset for present and future generations,” he added.
Among those present during the site visit were SBCT trustee Temenggong Nicholas Boyok Pura, Penghulu Ekit Awang, SBCT secretary Peter Sawal, and councillor Aaron Paulus Gumbang.