KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is set to overhaul its food industry as part of a long-term plan to position the state as a major food producer.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative includes introducing a new law on waste management to produce animal feed locally, thereby reducing reliance on imports that contribute to rising meat prices.
“Previously, palm oil waste was not properly managed, so I tried an initiative in Lubok Antu where the palm shells were broken down into biomass and mixed with napier grass to make animal feed.
“With this animal feed, we can rear livestock using the feedlot system instead of free-range farming, and produce our own meat,” he said.
He said this during the Sarawak Agenda: Town Hall Session with the Premier of Sarawak’, held in conjunction with ‘Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2025’ at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here on Saturday.
The restructuring effort will also see the introduction of a veterinary programme at Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS) to tackle the shortage of qualified veterinarians.
“At present, we are indeed facing a shortage of certified veterinarians.
“We must strengthen the veterinary field not only in terms of food production but also to control diseases in Sarawak — particularly rabies, which has claimed many lives in the state,” he added.
