Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Veterinary Services Director Dr Zul Bahar Abdul Rashid (pic) said the Department’s game changer is to cut reliance on imports through big investors, higher farm productivity, stronger local capacity and value-added products.
“We need big investments from industries to set up in Sabah through public and private partnerships.
“Our existing farmers must also raise their productivity through the use of machines and other means,” he said at the recent Livestock Industry Convention on Empowering Farmers and Driving the Industry Forum 2026.
The forum was held at Wisma Pertanian’s auditorium in conjunction with the Department’s 50th anniversary.
Asked what game changer the Department needs after 50 years, he said it must help Sabah stop putting all its eggs in the import basket.
The aim, he said, is for the State to stand on its own feet.
He said the first game changer is to draw in private firms, which can bring large funds and technology, while the Department offers land and help with the approval steps.
“We have land that can be used for these industries to set up and we hold the procedures that make it easier for big industries to settle in Sabah,” he said.
He said this would help the industry grow from within and raise the share of food Sabah produces for itself.
For small farmers, he said local produce loses the price race because it costs too much to produce.
“People ask why imported chicken is far cheaper than local chicken. If we fail to control input costs, our productivity stays low and our selling prices rise,” he said.
He said machines and modern technology can cut reliance on workers and improve efficiency. Small and medium farmers can also apply for several forms of aid.
He said the Department must also change its own ways under the 13th Malaysia Plan. One change is to build local breeding by importing the best breeding stock and adapting it for Sabah.
The second change is feed, he said, pointing out that land suited to growing feed that is now imported must be developed.
He added that nothing should go to waste, as farm leftovers can become feed.
“Do not think oil palm fronds have no value.
“Farm waste can be turned into silage, which is more nutritious and can be used as feed,” he said.
“Sabah must not stop at the farm gate and should move from farm to processing so its produce earns more.
“We cannot rely only on imported nuggets and sausages. We must also be able to produce them in this country,” he said.
He said packaged, ready-to-eat products, such as retort pouch food, would help produce last longer after harvest.
He also attributed past officers who built a high baseline for the Department, resulting in Sabah being free from dangerous animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease and brucellosis.
Official records back this up. Sabah has been declared free of foot and mouth disease since 2005, a status recognised internationally by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
The disease spreads very easily and affects animals with split hooves such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs.
Additionally, he said the Department had also built a network of farmers that now includes younger people.