‘Enhancing livestock management in Malaysia’

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 16): The launch of the ‘Malaysian Livestock Breeding Strategic Plan’, the ‘Artificial Insemination Guidebook for Cattle’, the ‘Sire Catalogue’, and the ‘MyFeed’ application stands as a significant event for the nation’s livestock industry.

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) deputy director-general (development) Dr Suratan Kamarudin officiated at the ceremony on Saturday (Sept 13) at Hall A of the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, marking a new milestone in advancing this sector of agriculture.

These strategic initiatives stood as proof that the government, through the DVS, was serious about empowering and driving the local livestock industry with the use of modern technology and a comprehensive approach.

This event not only covered the launch of several important documents, but also showcased advanced technological platforms designed to benefit farmers and other players within the industry.

The Malaysian Livestock Breeding Strategic Plan was the highlight of the event.

Designed as a key step in empowering the country’s livestock breeding sector, it meant to outline the direction of the ruminant livestock industry, ensuring that the local protein sources would meet domestic needs.

In his speech, Dr Suratan emphasised the importance of this plan in maintaining the long-term security of livestock-based food supplies.

According to him, the plan is a strategic move by the government to enhance livestock production efficiency through modern and progressive breeding methods.

“The plan aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imported livestock and products, driving efforts towards sustainable food security.

“This plan is not just a reference document; it is a long-term strategy to strengthen our livestock industry’s position.

“We want to ensure that our country can produce enough protein to meet our people’s needs, while increasing the income of farmers across the nation,” he said.

This plan also meant to support the National Meat and Dairy Industry Strategic Plans, both intended to improve the livestock sector’s productivity and achieve the production targets set under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and 13MPs.

Meanwhile, the ‘Artificial Insemination Guidebook for Cattle’ was introduced as one of the government’s initiatives to support breeding activities in the field.

This guidebook was produced to help farmers, insemination technicians and also students understand the breeding techniques through ‘Assisted Reproductive Technology’, particularly for cattle and buffalo.

“This guidebook is an initiative that takes into account the growing needs of the country’s ruminant livestock industry.

“It is expected to become a primary reference for those directly involved in breeding activities, especially cattle and buffalo farmers looking to leverage artificial insemination technology,” Dr Suratan said.

“The artificial insemination technology is no longer new at the international level. Therefore, it is crucial for our farmers to understand and apply this technique accurately.

“This guidebook will help farmers gain a better understanding of this technology, and how it can be used to improve their livestock yields,” he added.

In the government’s efforts to ensure the use of high-quality genetic resources in breeding processes, the Sire Catalogue was also launched during this event.

Containing a list of frozen semen from purebred livestock specifically selected by the National Veterinary Biodiversity Institute (IBVK), its main goal was to give farmers access to high-quality genetic materials that could be used in artificial insemination.

“With the Sire Catalogue, our farmers can select the best livestock breeds for breeding.

“This will lead to better livestock quality, especially in terms of the meat and milk produced,” said Dr Suratan.

The catalogue should also serve as a crucial reference for other stakeholders in the livestock industry, including researchers and industry players seeking to ensure optimal genetic quality in their livestock.

One of the most notable technological innovations at the event was the MyFeed.

This app was designed to help farmers manage their livestock’s nutrition more easily and efficiently.

Through a user-friendly mobile platform, MyFeed would enable farmers to calculate and plan their livestock’s daily feed rations accurately, based on the animals’ needs and the cost of available feed resources.

“This application is a step forward in ensuring that livestock nutrition management becomes more efficient. By combining smart technology and expert animal nutrition knowledge, MyFeed can significantly improve livestock health and productivity,” said Dr Suratan.

Through the use of this application, farmers could ensure that their livestock would receive optimal nutrition, ultimately leading to increased production of meat, milk, and other livestock products.

In addition to launching strategic plans and new technologies, the exchange of 11 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between local companies and institutions with international partners also took place.

The value of the MOUs signed reached RM242.75 million, covering collaborations in the agro-food trade and investment sectors.

The documents-exchange ceremony was held in connection with the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2024, a key platform for promoting international cooperation in the agro-food sector.

Collaborations were established with companies from countries including Denmark, France and China, as well as local companies involved in commodities such as pineapples, durians, poultry products, bird’s nests, and sustainable agricultural technology.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup witnessed the exchange, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening global agro-food trade relations.

As part of MAHA 2024, the Kingdom of Agrofood (KOA), one of the expo’s main clusters, also showcased various local and imported agro-food products. Pomelo and jackfruit were the focal points of this cluster, where various activities and product sales were held to attract visitors.

MAHA 2024 also featured an attempt to set a new record in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the ‘Tallest Structure Made of Pomelo’.

The 4.23m tower was built using 7,000 pomelos and 100 jackfruits, creating a historic moment for MAHA’s 100th anniversary celebration.

The launch of the Malaysian Livestock Breeding Strategic Plan, alongside other innovations like the MyFeed Application and Sire Catalogue, demonstrates that Malaysia is rapidly moving toward advancing its livestock sector.

With technological support, a clear strategy, and strong international collaboration, this industry has the potential to become a major contributor to national food security and long-term economic development.

-Agency