KUCHING: Sarawak is exploring Brazil’s ruminant industry to strengthen its livestock sector and reduce reliance on beef imports from Australia and New Zealand.
A delegation led by Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi recently visited Brazil to study the country’s large-scale cattle industry and advanced breeding technology.
The visit, organised by the state Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) with support from the Brazilian Embassy in Malaysia, also examined investment opportunities in the livestock sector.
The ministry said the delegation engaged with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAFA) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) to discuss potential research collaborations.
They also inspected processing plants and abattoirs operated by Brazilian companies– JBS S.A. and BRF S.A. to assess Brazil’s beef export standards.
“The delegation visited poultry and cattle slaughterhouses in Brazil due to requests for beef imports from the country.
“They also reviewed the ruminant industry and the status of Brazil’s freedom from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever.
“While exploring the Zebu cattle breed, which is widely farmed in Brazil, they also studied the cattle breeding technologies used in the country,” it said in a statement.
Additionally, the delegation toured Cooxupe Regional Cooperative of Coffee Growers, Brazil’s largest Arabica coffee cooperative, to explore cooperative models in agriculture.
The visit also supports the state’s goal of increasing its cattle population from 22,000 to 80,000 by 2030 and boosting its beef self-sufficiency from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.
