29 March, 2005 - Lahad Datu: Agriculture and Food Industries MinisterDatuk Abdul Rahim Ismail urged oil palm plantation operators to considerembarking on integrated livestock rearing, including cattle, deer andgoat, to help supplement the Government's effort in achieving 30 per centself-sufficiency in local beef production by 2010.

In this respect, he commended Felda Sahabat for such an effort through itsRuminan Cattle Livestock Integration Project (Pintar).

Abdul Rahim said this during a recent visit to the Felda Farm Products SdnBhd, some 100 kilometres from Lahad Datu town.

He was accompanied by Sabah Veterinary Services and Animal Industry(Dovsai) Director Awang Sahak Awang Salleh, Agriculture Director DatukJurij Awang Yaacob and Felda Farm Products Sabah Liverstock ManagerRoslaini Said.

Felda Sahabat has a total area of 120,000 hectares for oil palmcultivation, of which 10 per cent involves active implement of Pintar.

Abdul Rahim pointed out that not all plantations could benefit additionalprofits from the increasing demand for fresh meat.

At the same time, he said various incentive schemes had been prepared toattract more plantation companies to implement the livestock integrationprogramme to help increase local meet production.

According to him, Sabah had 1.2 million hectares for oil palm plantations,and 10 per cent allocated for livestock breeding would make Sabah the mainmeat producer in the country.

Such optimism is generated by the absence of related diseases in theState, he said. Meanwhile, Sabah has recorded 25,000 Ruminan cattle, with15,000 in Lahad Datu alone.