KOTA KINABALU: A bond system placing 10% of the value of livestock under the state ruminant transformation programme is being implemented to ensure farmers do not sell their cattle and goats too early.
This is meant to help increase the livestock population in the state says Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
He added that the bond was intended to boost the programme, which has been in place for 10 years but has yet to produce a significant increase in livestock numbers.
Under the new system, farmers must pay a bond based on the livestock’s value.
It would be refunded after three years if they meet the stipulated conditions.
“The value of a cow is about RM16,000, while a goat is RM1,600. The bond payable is 10% of the livestock value for a period of three years.
“If these cattle are productive and produce two to three calves within that period, the bond will be returned to the farmers so they can further expand their operations,” he told reporters after receiving a shipment of 950 goats from Sydney, Australia, worth about RM1.6mil.
There were also 140 Jersey Friesian dairy cattle in the shipment which arrived at the Kota KInabalu International Airport.
All livestock arriving in Sabah will undergo about a week of quarantine at the Department of Veterinary Services facility in Penampang before being distributed to eligible recipients beginning Oct 28.
He said the goat programme was aimed at helping livestock farmers and also to help oil palm smallholders increase their income through the integration of livestock farming with oil palm cultivation.
A total of 19 farmers will receive goats, while the dairy cattle will be handed over to two entities, SLDB in Keningau and Desa Keningau, for management and breeding purposes.
