Sabah Targets Corn Expansion To Cut Feed Import Reliance

KOTA KINABALU, April 17 (Bernama) -- Sabah is planning to open at least 404.6 hectares of corn plantations this year as a measure to reduce its heavy dependence on imported animal feed, which currently stands at 98 per cent, while helping to stabilise chicken and egg prices in the market.

Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Jamawi Jaafar said rising shipping costs had directly affected the price of imported animal feed, thereby increasing production costs for the local poultry industry.

“When shipping costs increase, the price of imported materials also rises and this affects farming costs as well as the prices of chicken and eggs in the market. That is why we cannot merely talk about lowering chicken prices when feed costs remain high.

“I have secured an allocation of RM25 million from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security this year to develop 1,000 acres of commercial corn cultivation,” he said when met by reporters after attending the Kupi-Kupi Bersama Media event here today.

Jamawi said the development of the 404.6 hectares of corn plantations was expected to increase the Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) for animal feed to 20 per cent this year.

He said the target was expected to rise to 30 per cent next year if an additional 404.6 hectares could be developed.

-- BERNAMA