Earn big by rearing swiftlets for bird’s nest

by Eve Sonary Heng
August 7, 2010, Saturday

KUCHING: A simple house to rear swiftlets can be built for between RM10,000 and RM30,000. This, in essence, means that starting a business selling edible bird’s nest (EBN) is within the reach of almost everyone.

Veterinary officer from the Sarawak Veterinary Service headquarters , said although the investment was relatively low, the venture     required lots of hard work and patience to make it work.

But he said those who were serious in this business could easily earn a good income as EBN had been known as a health food for hundreds of years.“You do not need to invest so much to build a swiftlet house. For starters, you just need to build a simple one which cost from RM10,000 onwards.“Once you are successful, you can upgrade the house to improve your income,” he said when presenting his paper at the ‘Swiftlet Industry in Sarawak’ seminar here yesterday.

He said his office were ever ready to assist those who were keen to pursue this business.At present, swiftlet ranching licensing is under the purview of the Forest Department, while bird’s nest processing and import/export is under the State Veterinary Department. He revealed that Sarawak had been exporting EBN as raw or processed products since the 60s, and the export value was about RM100 million in the 80s. But revenue nosedived to RM60 million currently (for black nest) because of reduced takings from nest production caves and an increase in house nest (white nest).

“It is easier to produce house nest as long as you choose the right location. You can easily obtain a licence.

“But we do not encourage the making of swiftlet houses in the city as it cause noise pollution. You need to build them in agriculture land,” he added. He revealed that the retail price of unprocessed nest (uncleaned raw) cost between RM4,000 and RM5,000, while processed (clean raw) easily cost RM10,000.

“An entrepreneur can easily become a millionaire in a short time,” he remarked.