KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will facilitate help for pig farmers seeking to transform their operations into high-technology farming, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic).
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the ministry will assist those looking for financial assistance from banks to fund their operations in light of a declining self-sufficiency rate (SSR) among the farmers.
"The flu (African swine fever) and other diseases in the past have severely affected the major pig farms in Melaka and Negri Sembilan, and many of the livestock had to be put down because of that.
"For the farmers who want to look into modern pig farming, the ministry is prepared to facilitate those who wish to apply (for funds).
"We will assist farmers who want to develop modern farming operations. We will work to help them obtain loans or support from banks and other financial institutions," he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat here on Wednesday (Nov 19).
Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) wanted to know about the avenues available to pig farmers who wanted to apply for loans or financial assistance to move into modern farming.
On measures by the ministry following the declining SSR related to pig farming, Mohamad said Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has drawn up plans to implement closed and high-technology systems to raise the SSR to 90% by 2030
Other measures taken to sustain the operations of local pig farms include the Finance Ministry expanding the scope of the agricultural sector’s automation tax incentive, covering the benefits of the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA), and income tax exemptions for pig farming.
"This serves as an incentive for the farmers to transform their operations... (they have) until Dec 31, 2027.
"The DVS will continue to provide technical advisory services to pig farmers, covering aspects such as farm management, compliance with animal health standards, and effective biosecurity practices.
"These efforts are aimed at supporting the transition towards farming systems that are more modern, sustainable, and lower in disease risk," he added.
Mohamad also said the ministry consistently encourages and supports the implementation of closed-house pig farming through the Modern Pig Farming (MPF) and Pig Farming Area (PFA) concepts.
"For example, there is a PFA that serves as a model of integrated modern farming in Simunjan, Sarawak, while another PFA is currently being developed in Tongod, Sabah.
"These efforts demonstrate the ministry’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the pig-farming industry towards greater sustainability, competitiveness and environmental safety," he added.
