Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s livestock industry must move beyond “survival mode” and accelerate investment, innovation and biosecurity if the State is to strengthen its food security, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said.
He said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) Sabah, now 50 years old, must stay ahead of emerging challenges instead of merely reacting to problems facing the livestock sector.
“The department cannot remain static. It must continue to move in tandem with current developments to ensure the livestock sector remains competitive, sustainable and capable of contributing to food security,” he said.
Jamawi said this when officiating the DVS Sabah Golden Jubilee Grand Finale at The Magellan Sutera Harbour.
He said the department had evolved significantly since it was separated from the Agriculture Department on Jan 1, 1976, with its responsibilities expanding from livestock production and disease control to food safety, environmental sustainability, industry compliance and animal welfare.
The changes were reflected in an expanding legal framework, including the Animal Ordinance 1962, Animal Enactment 2015, Animal Welfare Enactment 2015, Animal Feed Enactment 2021 and the latest Animal Enactment (Amendment) 2026.
Jamawi said the widening role of DVS Sabah was critical as the livestock sector remained an important component of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda.
“The livestock sector is one of the important engines supporting this economic pillar. A sustainable livestock industry directly contributes to the goal of building a developed, inclusive and prosperous Sabah,” he said.
He said the State Government had allocated RM559.85 million to the ministry this year to strengthen food security and raise self-sufficiency levels for key food commodities.
Yet, he noted that Sabah’s ruminant self-sufficiency level remained at only nine per cent, underlining the scale of the challenge ahead.
Jamawi said DVS Sabah had made important progress, including maintaining Sabah’s freedom from major diseases such as rabies, Foot and Mouth Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
During the 12th Malaysia Plan, the department distributed livestock to 296 breeders involving thousands of cattle, goats and sheep, while also developing 800 acres of grazing land.
He, however, urged the industry to do more, particularly by investing in biosecurity, modern technology, local talent and downstream processing.
“Industry players will be among those most affected if an uncontrolled animal disease outbreak occurs,” he warned.
Jamawi said stronger Government-industry cooperation was needed, with businesses sharing technology, expertise and practical knowledge rather than limiting their involvement to sponsorships.
He also called for greater investment in local youth through training and employment, as well as downstream industries to ensure more of the economic value generated by livestock production remained in Sabah.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations received RM815,000 from 31 industry sponsors.
Jamawi also paid tribute to 10 former DVS Sabah directors and expressed confidence that current director Dr Zul Bahar Hj Abdul Rashid, the department’s 11th head, would build on the 50-year legacy.
