BINTULU: The Sarawak Government is further strengthening the state’s food security agenda by introducing modern technology in the agriculture and livestock sectors, including through strategic collaboration with Brazil.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, said Brazil has become one of the world’s largest food producers through large-scale adoption of modern technology, and Sarawak should emulate this success to stand on par at the global level.
“I said, go to Brazil and acquire their technology. Take the technology and collaborate with Brazil from the technological perspective.
“Brazil is indeed a leading nation in food production in South America.
“If Brazil can succeed, and Denmark has Nestlé, then Sarawak too must secure its place on the world stage in the food industry,” he said when officiating the Sarawak Agrofest Festival at the Old Bintulu Airport on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, explained that Brazil has been identified as a strategic partner for learning modern livestock farming methods, particularly artificial insemination technology to enhance the breeding of Zebu cattle in Sarawak.
“They have more than 240 million heads of cattle, an enormous number compared to our capacity.
“We want to utilise frozen sperm and introduce artificial insemination technology so that we can improve cattle breeds in Sarawak.
“In fact, the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture has agreed to allow our officers to be sent there for training and knowledge exchange,” he said.
He added that the Zebu cattle breed, originally from India, is now more widely reared in Brazil than in its country of origin, demonstrating how technology adaptation can lead to greater success.
Dato Sri Dr. Stephen also stressed that this initiative forms part of Sarawak’s comprehensive strategy to increase the state’s food self-sufficiency level (SSL) and reduce dependence on imports. -UKASnews
