Kuala lumpur: The Sabah government aims to increase the state's ruminant meat Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) to 25 percent by 2030, up from the current 7.05 percent, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly was told today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Datuk Hendrus Anding stated that the state government has undertaken various initiatives to achieve this target. One such initiative involves allocating RM24.3 million to upgrade government-owned livestock farms across the state. This funding, channelled through the Sabah Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), includes RM12.5 million for the development of 11 large-scale ruminant farms located in Keningau, Kudat, Telupid, Tawau, and Kota Belud.

Additionally, RM7 million has been allocated for the development of five small-scale ruminant farms in Bongawan, Ranau, Telupid, Kunak, and Lahad Datu. Another RM4.8 million is earmarked for two non-ruminant farms, namely the Bantayan Poultry Farm and the Yonsom Duck Farm, as explained by Hendrus.

In response to an oral question from Dr Daud Yusof (Warisan-Bongawan) about efforts to upgrade government-owned ruminant and non-ruminant farms to boost production and strengthen the state's food security, Hendrus elaborated on the expected outcomes. The upgrading programme is anticipated to increase large ruminant meat production by 199 percent, from 126 head this year to 377 head annually by 2030. Simultaneously, breeding stock output is projected to rise by 78 percent to 752 head a year.

For small ruminants, meat production is expected to surge by 486 percent, from 121 head annually to 710 head a year, while breeding stock production is projected to increase by 233 percent to 916 head annually by 2030. "In addition to farm upgrading, the ruminant meat SSR target will also be supported through the oil palm integration programme, MEPKAS, and genetic resource development," Hendrus added.

Regarding non-ruminant livestock, Hendrus mentioned that the state's annual requirement of 35 million broiler chickens is already fully met by the private sector, with the current SSR standing at 105.3 percent. "The DVS poultry and duck farms now serve as training centres, specialised breeding facilities, and suppliers of young livestock for government programmes such as Kebun Dapur, as well as support for small-scale livestock entrepreneurs," he said.

He also expressed the government's readiness to develop integrated livestock farming areas in districts with strong potential, including Semporna, to further enhance the state's food security.