Kota Kinabalu: Sabah received 780 beef cattle from Darwin, Australia, on Sunday under a programme integrating cattle rearing with oil palm plantations to boost livestock productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the shipment comprised 750 female cattle and 30 bulls of the Brahman Cross breed, which is better suited to Sabah’s hot and humid climate than purebred Brahman.
He said the shipment was part of the State Government’s efforts to improve the genetics of local livestock and strengthen the industry.
Twenty farmers will receive between five and 10 cattle each, depending on their respective allocations.
Jamawi said he and Veterinary Services Department officers had visited three locations two weeks ago to source livestock.
Apart from the beef cattle from Darwin, Sabah also purchased 395 dairy cattle and 800 Boer goats from Melbourne and New Spain. He said the overall annual budget for the livestock programme was RM10 million.
The cattle are already six to seven months pregnant, allowing farmers to expect calves within the next two to three months.
The selected farmers have completed training courses conducted by the Department and are ready to rear the animals.
The State Government is also introducing a bond system this year, requiring recipients to pay a deposit to ensure the cattle are properly cared for and not sold within three years.
“Some farmers still use local breeds inherited over five to 10 generations. Sometimes they have to wait years for a calf to be born. With breeds that have better productivity, we hope farmers’ incomes will improve.
“If a cow dies because of the farmer’s negligence, the deposit will be forfeited. It is the same if they sell the cow. The deposit will not be returned and they will not be considered for future assistance.
“We want to make sure these quality breeds are well looked after so the genetic improvement programme can deliver results for at least seven generations.
“If they keep the first, second, third calf and so on, the herd will grow over time. This will help raise their household income,” he said.
Under the pasture improvement programme, cattle are distributed to selected participants, including one recipient in each identified area. One recipient is a pasture operator in Pamilaan, Tenom, who has 45 cattle.
Jamawi said the State Government was upgrading about eight pastures this year by installing fences and planting grass before supplying quality cattle to farmers.
He said the initiative aimed to ensure that pasture facilities provided over the years were better managed and maintained.
He also encouraged those interested in rearing beef cattle, dairy cattle or goats to contact the Veterinary Services Department in their respective districts.
The Department would provide guidance, but applicants must have the necessary knowledge and attend courses at designated training centres across the State.
