SPAOH: Plans to develop Bukit Saban into a major supplier of broiler chickens in Sarawak are gaining traction with the proposed construction of the Betong Division Poultry Slaughtering and Processing Centre.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the proposed facility would be crucial in completing the poultry industry’s value chain, from farming and slaughtering to processing and marketing.
Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, said the development of supporting infrastructure must keep pace with the growth of the local broiler chicken industry to create greater economic value for farmers and the community.
“If we want to develop the broiler chicken industry in Bukit Saban, we need to develop the entire ecosystem, from farming to slaughtering, processing and marketing.
“With facilities such as this, we hope the farmers’ produce can be managed more systematically and that greater value can be created locally,” he said during a site visit to the proposed location yesterday.
The identified site is located near the Bebuling STOLport, offering strategic advantages in terms of connectivity and logistics.
The visit also involved discussions with relevant agencies on the suitability of the site and technical requirements for the proposed facility.
The proposal follows an engagement session with 26 broiler chicken farmers in Bukit Saban on Aug 6, during which the need for a dedicated slaughtering facility was highlighted to strengthen the industry’s value chain.
Uggah said Bukit Saban had the potential to become one of Sarawak’s main suppliers of broiler chickens, provided breeding, farming, processing and marketing were developed in an integrated manner.
The sector has also received support through the Economic Enhancement Programme for Chick Rearing in the Bukit Saban constituency.
Since its implementation in 2023, the programme has benefited nearly 1,200 recipients through the distribution of almost 60,000 chicks via the Bukit Saban State Constituency Service Centre, with support from the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA).
Uggah said the development of downstream facilities would not only improve the management and marketing of farmers’ produce but also open up more opportunities for entrepreneurship and income generation.
The proposed centre will now be further assessed by the relevant agencies, particularly in terms of site suitability and technical requirements, before the next steps are determined.
