Stephen (second from left) presenting the appointment letter to the association’s new chairman Ling Chi Kiong at the ceremony.
Farmers whose livestock are badly affected by Avian Flu and African Swine Fever (ASF) have been told that they will be given the necessary assistance to restart their business.
Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said farming activities had to be restarted.
“I know how difficult it has been for the farmers, as they have lost their source of income,” he said after launching the Sibu Livestock Farmers Association’s 51st anniversary celebration and new committee installation ceremony.
Stephen said vaccinations against ASF were not available yet.
“The situation has stabilised.
“Once we restart, I think we will recover what we have lost,” he said.
On the production of chickens and eggs, Stephen said production was above the state’s expectation of more than 100% (Sarawak’s self-sufficiency level).
As for padi, he stressed that one of the ways to commercialise the commodity in the state was to focus on increasing the state’s self-sufficiency level for rice to 65% by 2030.
He said the level was currently only at 34%.
