KUCHING - From an image consultant, Syed Razuan Ali, 46, has transitioned to a modern farmer, fuelled by a passion that has now borne fruit.
A native of Kampung Semariang, located about nine kilometres (km) from Kuching city, he started as a middleman around 2003 to sell goats and cows by distributing leaflets to the public after Friday prayers.
Starting from a small barn that could accommodate only 12 cows and 25 goats, he now proudly owns a 1.2-hectare farm capable of housing over 500 ruminants, with goats being the primary livestock.
Besides viewing farming as a long-term investment, Syed Razuan also wants to dispel the stigma that farming is only a job for retirees.
He has also taken the initiative to introduce the goat care system from his farm to farmers, especially young people, as a side job with an income of up to RM3,000 per month for 15 goats.
"We 'lend' male goats over three months old to farmers for fattening, providing them with grass and pellets for three months. Once the goats are ready, we take them back and pay the farmers their earnings. Additionally, we offer pregnant female goats for farmers to care for and feed.
"If the livestock gives birth to a male goat, we take it and compensate the farmers accordingly. If it’s a female, the farmers benefit by adding to the livestock on their own farms,” he told Bernama at the Maju Ternak Albarakah Company farm in Kampung Sungai Agas Baru, about 21 km from here.
He added that the Department of Veterinary Services also provides vaccination shots for the 'loaned' goats.
IDEA CONCEIVED DURING COVID-19
According to Syed Razuan, the idea to implement this goat care system was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Movement Control Order (MCO), which forced many farmers out of business and led them to auction off their livestock.
To preserve the Barbados Blackbelly and Damara goat breeds, he decided to purchase these livestock as part of an effort to expand group farming and increase production.
The father of 10 children shared that the Barbados Blackbelly, Damara, and Dorper crossbreed goats are his preferred livestock because they grow quickly and can reach a weight of 30 kilograms by six months of age.
Syed Razuan said this system needs to be expanded to help increase the number of farmers in Sarawak, making it a mechanism to reduce the price of live goats in the state, which can reach RM40 per kilogram (kg), while the meat is valued at RM80 per kg.
"The key to reducing livestock prices is to increase the number of farmers, as we currently can't control the prices of goats and cows due to the low number of farmers in this state," said Syed Razuan, who has collaborated with around 50 local farmers, extending up to the Sibu area.
According to statistics from the Department of Veterinary Services, the number of goats in Sarawak in 2023 is estimated at 8,941 compared to Peninsular Malaysia (303,885) and Sabah (25,535).
Based on the data, the cattle population in Sarawak last year (2023) was estimated at 13,274, while Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah had 670,909 and 53,571 respectively.
In June last year, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was quoted as saying that the state government will introduce measures to control the selling price of several livestock next year following the current high prices in Sarawak compared to other states.
FUTURE PLANNING
Addressing the aspect of quality goat farming, Syed Razuan advises against allowing each mother goat to become pregnant more than four times, and recommends that bucks be between two and seven years old to ensure healthy, large-sized offspring.
Looking ahead, he encourages his children to venture into the same field and aspires to develop a state-of-the-art livestock barn on his 1.4-hectare farm. This facility would house 500 mother goats, with an estimated construction cost of around RM300,000.
"I anticipate that within two years, this barn will be completed with facilities such as an air-conditioned slaughterhouse. Each goat will be housed in its own designated block, and the manure will be separated for fertiliser production.
"Therefore, I need the cooperation and support of the state government to make this effort successful as a step toward expanding the livestock industry in Sarawak," he said, adding that the main focus of the farm's livestock is on Barbados and Damara goats.
The barn will also accommodate animals owned by other farmers who lack their own farms, offering treatment and food packages for these livestock. - BERNAMA