Malaysia needs 200,000 tonnes of beef a year to meet demand

Farm visit: Mohamad visiting one of the cattle farms after the opening of HL Agro Farm KB Sdn Bhd yesterday. — Bernama

BACHOK: Malaysia still needs 200,000 tonnes of beef per year to meet the needs of the people, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said that to meet the demand, the government aims to produce 100,000 tonnes of beef by 2030.

According to him, Malaysia still needs to import 80% of meat to meet the people’s demand.

“The production of beef cattle in our country is still below 20%, equivalent to 47,000 tonnes.

“It is still a long way to go before we reach 100%,” he told reporters after opening of HL Agro Farm KB Sdn Bhd with the farming community in Kampung Sri Kemunting, Gunong, yesterday, Bernama reported.

Mohamad said that in order to reduce the import and dependence of beef from abroad in the future, the government will help increase the number of animal husbandry and production.

“Cooperation with the state government is important because the land belongs to the state government, such as the farms in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor. There is still a lot that can be cultivated.

“If everyone works together, we will be able to reach the target of 100% in the near future, at least able to reach 50% even though it is not easy to do,” he said.

Commenting further, Mohamad said the government also channelled allocations to farmers who had just started their businesses by providing assistance of about RM20,000 per person.

He also assured that the supply of sacrificial beef for the coming Hari Raya Aidiladha will be sufficient, including assurances that there will be no significant increase in the price of meat.