Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

9MP Report: Focus on large-scale farming

Date: 1 April 2006

Source: New Straits Times

CATTLE breeder R.M. Livestock Corporation Sdn Bhd operates the largest beef-cattle farm in the country, with up to 9,000 head on its 405ha farm in Air Hitam-Kahang.

Today, it is one of the largest participants in Johor’s Premier Agriculture Programme — a project to encourage large-scale commercial agriculture.

And it serves as an example of what is in store for agriculture under the 9MP.

The sector will be given a shot in the arm with a RM11.4 billion allocation.

A New Agriculture programme—entailing large-scale farming and participation in quality activities — will be undertaken.

It involves greater orientation towards more modern and commercial-scale production like that undertaken by R.M. Livestock.

A first in the country, the Johor project covers 3,459ha of farm land open to lease by companies keen on large-scale farming.

Under the concept, the Government provides the basic infrastructure and offers attractive incentives for private investors.

Individuals and companies signing up for the programme are entitled to land at reasonable rates.

To date, 21 companies have committed over RM100 million to the farms.

RM Livestock Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lazuli Sdn Bhd, is an example.

“Johor’s initiative to open land for commercial agriculture has been a tremendous boon for us as land size is vital to our business,” says general manager Yusof Dayan Iskandar Carey.

“We had the technology and expertise, but could not realise our expansion plans because we could not find suitable large tracks of land.

“And then Johor came up with this brilliant idea. We seized it immediately. We have invested RM31 million in the project and are still expanding.”

The company sells about 15,000 head of cattle.

The Johor project has also benefited Spices Marketing Sdn Bhd, which is planting tissuecultured seedlings of pisang berangan in Air Hitam-Kahang.

The seedlings of the “Intan” variety come from the country’s largest tissue-culture laboratory, owned by United Plantations Berhad.

Tissue-cultured pisang berangan take about seven months to ripe and weigh up to 30kg a bunch, compared with the traditional variety which take a year and weigh about 20kg a bunch.

Under the 9MP, aquaculture, deep-sea fishing, seaweed, herbs, ornamental fish and floriculture will be developed and commercialised on a large scale.

Other targets and projects include the production of high value-added primary and agrobased products; wider application of information and communication technology; the promotion of halal food production and turning Malaysia into a centre for the certification of halal products.

The Government plans to train 657,720 entrepreneurs and farmers during the period.

Increased income for farmers and fishermen is another goal. Farmers,for instance, will be encouraged to take part in mini-estates and group farming activities. Their income is expected to increase from RM3,900 to RM7,800 per hectare annually.

More income-generating activities will be introduced for Felda settlers.