KUCHING: The proposed establishment of a feed mill in Serembu is expected to significantly strengthen the agriculture sector, ensure stable food supplies and create new employment opportunities for the local community.
Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh said the plan, if materialised, would address long-standing challenges faced by livestock farmers who currently depend on feed supplies sourced from outside the constituency and Sarawak.
He noted that feed makes up the biggest portion of livestock production costs and when prices fluctuate or supplies are disrupted, the local farmers are the ones who suffer.
According to Miro, having a feed mill in Serembu would reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery time and help stabilise feed prices for swine, poultry and fish farmers in the area.
“With a local feed mill, we can ensure a more consistent and reliable supply of feed. This will give our farmers the confidence to expand their operations and increase production.”
He added that the project would not only benefit existing livestock breeders but also encourage more villagers, especially youths, to venture into agro-based industries.
“This is not just about feed production. It is about building a stronger agriculture ecosystem in Serembu. When livestock farming grows, it will also stimulate related sectors such as crop cultivation, logistics and small businesses.”
He said for the start, the proposed feed mill will focus on preparing feed for swine, poultry and fisheries before it goes into processing agriculture wastes including manure into organic fertilisers for plant.
He said he had been invited by investor to study the feed mill factory in China recently, and if the proposal gets the approval from the relevant state authorities, the factory is likely to use the technology from China because its cheap and efficient.
“We went to see ourselves how the things were done in China. The technology they used was probably one of the efficient and cheapest in the world.
“The technology minimises or eliminates pollution of environment because everything is recycled and goes back to the farmland.”
Miro noted that the private driven proposed facility could generate job opportunities for locals, ranging from plant operators and technicians to transporters and suppliers of raw materials such as corn and other feed ingredients.
He stressed that strengthening the agriculture sector is key to enhancing food security, particularly in light of global supply chain uncertainties.
“We cannot continue to rely heavily on imported feed and external sources. By producing our own feed locally, we can reduce dependency and ensure stable food production for our people.”
Miro expressed hope that feasibility assessments and necessary approvals could be carried out smoothly so that the project could be realised for the benefit of Serembu residents and Sarawak as a whole.
“If this becomes a reality, it will be a major boost to our rural economy and a stepping stone towards making Serembu a more vibrant agricultural hub.”
