KUCHING: Cooperatives in Sarawak have the opportunity to play an important role in ensuring that the large amount of agricultural waste in the state can be fully utilised strategically through the ‘From Waste to Comfort’ concept.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Rural Development of Sarawak (Food Industry), Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, said that this effort is expected not only to reduce costs for farmers but also provide new economic returns to cooperatives.
At the same time, he said, this concept supports the state government’s agenda to strengthen the agro-food sector and reduce dependence on imported materials.
“If cooperatives can take advantage of this opportunity with the cooperation of the government, local universities, and the private sector, Sarawak can build a more sustainable livestock food production ecosystem.
“This will not only generate economic profits but also have a significant social impact by creating job opportunities in rural areas and helping improve the living standards of the community,” he said at the Knowledge Talk Programme 2025 ‘From Waste to Comfort: The Potential and Opportunities for Cooperatives in Livestock Feed Innovation’ at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.
He added that the challenges faced today are actually a big opportunity for cooperatives in Sarawak to prove that they can be leaders in waste management innovation and alternative livestock feed production.
He mentioned that 1,213 cooperatives have been registered in Sarawak, with nearly 315 active cooperatives involved in the agricultural sector.
“This number indicates that the agricultural sector has become one of the key fields increasingly receiving attention from the cooperative movement in this state.
“In this context, cooperatives in Sarawak play a role as drivers of innovation. With the strength of membership involving farmers, breeders, and fishermen, cooperatives have the capacity to link agricultural waste sources with processing technology,” he added.
Therefore, he said, cooperatives can act as a driver in collectively gathering and processing waste, thereby producing valuable and affordable animal feed products.
“This effort not only helps reduce costs for farmers but also opens up new business opportunities that can generate income for members,” he said.
Meanwhile, he stressed that the knowledge programme provides space for cooperatives in Sarawak to think further and take bolder actions in implementing livestock feed innovations based on waste.
