KUCHING, May 14: The Sarawak government has allocated RM 30 million to the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) to develop high-quality, cost-effective animal feed derived from oil palm.
This initiative, announced by the Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, includes the construction of a Palm Kernel Crushing Plant in Lubok Antu and a ruminant feed plant in Saratok, along with the production of other key feed ingredients.
“These efforts are part of a broader strategy to combat the escalating costs of animal feed by harnessing agricultural biomass.
This aligns with the Sarawak Government’s commitment to fostering a Green and Circular Economy, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the region,” Rundi said this in his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Further expanding this initiative, the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is set to produce pelleted cattle feed using oil palm biomass.
Following that, a new plant in Sibu is poised to begin operations this year and expected to produce approximately 3,200 metric tonnes annually.
Rundi further noted that the Palm Kernel Crushing Plant at Lubok Antu is on track, with a projected annual output of 13,500 metric tonnes of palm kernel expeller starting in the second quarter of 2025.
“As for ruminant feed plant in Saratok, the installation of machine and equipment is expected to complete in third quarter of 2024. The plant has the capacity to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of palm pellet for ruminant feed annually,” he said. – TVS
