By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will require farmers to pay a 10 per cent bond on livestock supplied under the State Ruminant Transformation Programme — a move to stop the premature sale of breeding animals and lift the state’s cattle and goat numbers.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the bond would be refunded after three years if farmers meet breeding conditions.
The programme has run for 10 years without significantly increasing the herd.
“Farmers will pay a bond based on the value of the livestock. It will be refunded if conditions are met,” Jamawi said.
A cow is valued at about RM16,000; a goat at RM1,600. The bond is 10 per cent, held for three years.
“If cows remain productive and produce two to three calves in that period, the bond will be refunded so they can expand,” he said.
He spoke on the arrival yesterday of 950 goats from Sydney worth RM1.6 million and 140 Jersey Friesian dairy cattle at MASkargo, Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Another 255 dairy cattle of the 395 allocated will arrive on Oct 27.
The livestock will be quarantined for about a week at the Veterinary Services Department in Penampang before distribution from Oct 28.
Nineteen farmers will receive goats. The dairy cattle will go to two entities in Keningau — SLDB and Desa Cattle — for breeding and management.
Jamawi said the Jersey Friesian was chosen for Keningau’s hot climate. It can produce up to 30 litres a day, double the 14-15 litres now averaged at the two farms.
The goat programme aims to strengthen existing farmers and help oil palm smallholders raise income through integrated farming.
Jamawi said he joined veterinary officers in selecting stock in Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The animals were flown in — eight hours from Sydney — rather than shipped over eight to nine days, on welfare grounds.
“We want productive breeding stock that lasts for generations, not animals sold off after the first birth,” he said.
“These animals can breed for seven generations.”
Last week the government received 850 beef cattle worth RM10 million. Distribution has begun.
Total allocation for the three shipments — beef cattle, dairy cattle and goats — is about RM17 million.
Sabah aims to raise self-sufficiency in ruminant meat to 40 per cent by 2030, from 25 per cent for beef and 5.5 per cent for mutton. Self-sufficiency in cow’s milk is already near 100 per cent.
Farmers who wish to join must contact their nearest Veterinary Services Department, attend courses, and show they have suitable pens, land, feed supply and management ability.
“We will not give livestock to every applicant. We want farmers with interest and knowledge to develop the industry,” Jamawi said.
Jamawi welcoming the cows and goats from Australia.
