DVS Drives Product Innovation To Meet Field Challenges

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

PUTRAJAYA, July 24 (Bernama) -- The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) continues to make strides by introducing various innovative products to ensure the country’s veterinary services remain relevant and responsive to increasingly complex field challenges.

DVS Veterinary Research Division director Dr Rohana Abu Bakar said that in-house innovations developed based on actual needs continue to serve as a crucial foundation for reforming the national veterinary sector while fostering a culture of innovation within the department.

“The innovations produced by DVS personnel are solutions to problems they have encountered before. They conducted studies and several tests before turning them into actual products or innovations.

“They assessed what could be done and improved the problems through innovation. The responsibility of improving service effectiveness stands out when field officers — from the lower ranks to the top — work together to solve issues through product innovation,” she said.

She was speaking to Bernama after attending the Closing Ceremony of DVS Innovation Day 2025, officiated by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Deputy Secretary-General (Development)  Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd.

Asked about which DVS innovation has been a game changer, Rohana cited the development of a livestock vaccine pouch bag last year as a key breakthrough for storing vaccines at a stable temperature in open farm areas such as oil palm plantations.

“This is to ensure vaccines are not damaged by heat exposure, thereby improving the effectiveness of animal vaccination. It was developed by DVS Pahang and is now also being produced for other states. Orders have been received from several other states, and the innovation has been registered as intellectual property,” she explained.

She also expressed admiration for the growing number of participants, which has increased from just 15 years ago to 30 entries this year — reflecting a rising culture of innovation and a strong sense of camaraderie among DVS staff and players in the veterinary industry.

“DVS Innovation Day is not just a competition; it is a platform to recognise local expertise and the tireless efforts of field personnel. Even more encouraging is that the majority of innovation presenters this year were support officers who confidently showcased their own work.

“With increasing participation, DVS is confident that this momentum will continue — not only strengthening the department, but also positioning innovation as a core pillar in developing a sustainable and competitive national livestock industry,” she said.

Earlier, DVS Director-General Dr Akma Ngah Hamid in her speech said that in a fast-paced, tech-driven era, innovation is no longer a choice but an urgent necessity to ensure organisations remain relevant, agile, and competitive.

“If a work process does not undergo change and merely follows routine over an extended period, service quality will not only stagnate, but productivity will also decline.

“Innovation reflects not just our ability to think beyond the norm, but more importantly, our ability to translate an idea into a sustainable and impactful solution,” she said.

There were six categories contested at DVS Innovation Day - services, digitalisation, technology, product, livestock production and best presentation.

DVS Terengganu emerged as the overall state champion, while the “Karung Kucing 4.0” (Cat Sack 4.0) product by DVS Pahang won first place in the services category.

-- BERNAMA