SHAH ALAM, 1 June: Farmers need to give added-value products as a measure to increase profits and to not depend on the sale of livestock alone.
The Exco for Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Agro-Based Industries, Zaidy Abdul Talib, said that cowhide is an example in providing added value to increase profits as it is also used in the manufacturing of goods.
“For example, if a farmer sells cowhides alone, it is only about RM2.kg.
“But if the farmer processes the cowhide, the price can increase to RM10/kg.
“It shows an increase of value of over 400 percent by only performing simple processing,” he said at Sungai Nibong, Sabak Bernam, on May 30.
According to him, the current cash flow projection indicate the livestock farmers, not feedlot ones, only bring returns of about 16 to 18 percent a year.
With creative effort, he said that it would be able to increase farm profits.
He explained that the state government, through the Veterinary Department, is providing an assistance scheme under the IAT Entrepreneur Production Enhancement Scheme.
Among the assistance provided includes processing equipment, machinery and materials to upgrade the premises.
“The main condition for them to apply is that they have already started their processing activities with a reasonable size project and not just planning to start it.
“It is a testament to the seriousness in implementing agro-based industry projects,” he added.
NS
