BAU – Looking at a group of villagers planting grass in Kampung Merembeh, a Bidayuh village in the Bau district may seem to be a futile effort for some.
However, many do not know that the grass which is of the Napier type is actually a sustainable way to feed beef cattle, a farming venture that has been commercialised by residents in the village.
Some 30 villagers are involved in the Beef Cattle Breeding project implemented by the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (VSD) where land lots belonging to the participants are converted into Napier grass planting sites and plots to build sheds for the cattle.
“Although many did not dare to venture into beef cattle breeding in Sarawak due to their lack of knowledge, I decided to give it a try upon learning about its great potential,” one of the participants, Suar Kapit, 66, told Bernama.
Through the project, the Sarawak government has also agreed to supply 150 head of cattle of several breeds, of which 120 to be provided through pawah or loan under the Cattle Loan Programme, while another 30 by grant under the Livestock Breed Grant Programme.
Under the Cattle Loan Programme, participants are required to pay using the offspring aged between 12 and 24 months within a period of six years.
Suar also said that the continuous guidance and assistance through advisory services from the VSD as well as various facilities provided by the Sarawak government have made him decide to join the project without no hesitation.
“This project will also help to improve the wellbeing and the socioeconomic status of the participants by providing us with a new source of income,” he added.
Another participant, Nor Hasimah Abdullah, 59, said she did not want to miss the opportunity to get involved in the project which she believed could provide her with a new source of income after retiring from the armed forces a few years ago.
Meanwhile, Serembu Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) Zone chief Libin Teher admitted that initially, most of the Kampung Merembeh residents were a bit sceptical of the cattle breeding project.
“However, after a clear explanation given by the the authorities, many of them decided to join and allow their land to be used for the cattle breeding project.
“We hope what the government has planned for us will be a success and it is able to generate income for the villagers,” he said.
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who visited the project recently said beef cattle production had good potential and could meet current demands as well as reduce dependence on imported beef.
He said Sarawak was currently capable of producing only 12 per cent of beef demand and this effort was the first step in turning Sarawak into a beef production state or net exporter of agrofood by 2030.
Uggah, who is also the state’s Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said the Sarawak government had allocated RM400,000 for a pioneer beef cattle rearing project in Kampung Merembeh, about 45 kilometres from Kuching city.
He also announced an additional allocation of RM500,000 for the construction of cattle sheds under the project.
“Our target is to increase the total cattle population to 150,000 by 2030 compared to the current 18,000 head of cattle,” he added.
