NOTICE TO SWIFTLET FARMERS IN SARAWAK

NOTICE TO SWIFTLET FARMERS

Forest Department's Sarawak State to operate swiftlets farming, get  licence from the Controller of Wildlife,  as provided under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, Wild Life Protection Rules, 1998 and the Wild Life Protection (Edible Bird's Nests) Rules 1998.

3. For any queries please contact Forest Department Sarawak Headquarters telephone no. 082-442180/319102/319103 during office hours only.

CONTROLLER OF WILD LIFE
SARAWAK
Swiftlet Farm Licences
Application forms:

1. License to build, erect or maintain any building or structure for swiftlet farms.
Building plan is to be submitted to the local council only after this licence is issued by the Controller of Wild Life.
Form WL(EBN)1/2007 in pdf format.

2. Licence to own or maintain Commercial wild Life Farm.
This licence could only be issued after the building had been completed and certificate of fitness or equivlent has been issued by the relevant local councils.
Form (WL) 3/2002 in pdf format.

Please contact our Licence Unit,
1st floor, Wisma Sumber Alam,
Petra Jaya, 93660 Kuching
Telephone No. 082-319228 for further details.

http://www.forestry.sarawak.gov.my/forweb/swiftlet/index.html

Agriculture NKEA

Posted on December 22, 2010, Wednesday

KUCHING: The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, the lead ministry for the Agriculture National Key Economic Area (NKEA), has announced that the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) has received approval to develop of a Herbal Cultivation Park in Terengganu.

Datuk Seri Noh Omar

In a statement from Kuala Lumpur yesterday, the ministry stated that a 461-hectare land in Pasir Raja, Terengganu would be used to cultivate seven types of herbs in high demand. The herbs are ‘tongkat Ali’ (Eurycoma longifolia), ‘kacip Fatimah’ (Labissa pumila), ‘misai kucing’ (Orthosiphon aristatus), ‘dukung anak’ (Phyllanthus Niruri), ‘hempedu bumi’ (Andrographis paniculata), agarwood (Aquilara malaccencis) and lemon myrtle.

It stated that tongkat Ali would be expected to reap the highest annual revenue, estimated at RM225,000 per hectare, followed by dukung anak at an estimated RM136,500 per hectare. “The global trade of natural products amounted to RM777 billion in 2006, and is projected to triple to over RM2 trillion by 2020. “This project, which will create 285 jobs, is a crucial step to ensure the availability of a ready source of raw material as Malaysia moves up the value chain to become a leader in the production of nutraceuticals and botanical drugs,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Noh Omar in the statement.

ECERDC would also be planning to develop two additional herbal parks in Chegar Perah and Rantau Manis, due expectedly to take off in 2011 and 2013, respectively. “The global demand for agriculture produce is expanding rapidly and there are many niches that Malaysia can exploit, given our natural advantages. We aim to double the agriculture sector’s contribution to the GNI (gross national income) by expanding the production of high-value items and increasing the percentage of raw produce that is made into downstream products. “Through better infrastructure, management techniques and technology, we also target to increase productivity to enable farmers participating in our projects to more than double the monthly income that they receive,” added Noh.

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterinary Services under the ministry would be releasing the Malaysia Edible-Birdnest Industry Guidlines (1GP) to the public this week. The announcement would be seen as a timely move, given the nation’s status as the second largest global producer with an estimated RM1.5 billion worth in sales and annual growth of 20 per cent in the industry. Currently, the annual global market for edible-birdnest is estimated to be worth RM10.2 billion. The much anticipated guidelines would cover Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP MS2273:2009) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP MS2333:2010), as well as the Malaysia Standard (MS). The 1GP would also touch on import export, traceability, registration

and licensing procedures of EBN industry. 

On the other end, the ministry had also identified 11 potential areas including one in Tasik Temenggor, Perak, for its integrated cage aquaculture trial programme. Slated for both marine and freshwater, the programme would be aimed at promoting large-scale, anchor-company driven cage-farming that would focus on three high export-value species: grouper, sea bass and tilapia. As such, a joint-venture between Department of Fisheries and Trapia Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Trapia) called ‘Synergy Farming Programme’ had been established with the aim of creating new entrepreneurs in this industry. Trapia, a joint-venture company between local company and a Norwegian company, Genomar, had been selected as the anchor company to head this Entry Point Project (EPP).

The venture would enable the transfer of technology from Norway to Malaysia while creating an export market presently estimated at 7,500 metric tonnes (mt) of ‘Genomar Supreme’ tilapia fillet worth RM32.25 million annually. The project would also create a niche for contract jobs and employment for locals. Additionally, the Synergy Farming Programme would be contributing 2,500mt of tilapia to the anchor company to achieve their production targets of 7,500mt annually through the provision of 20 cages and manpower by the government. Trapia, on the other hand, would assist in the training of the new entrepreneurs.

A total of 16 candidates had been selected for the programme, each given one cage and undergoing hands-on training under the company’s supervision. Successful trainees would be given two units each to operate, where they would be expected to produce approximately 100mt per cycle worth RM 500,000, generating income up to RM4,000 per month. The total annual production from the programme would be estimated to reach 2,500mt valued at RM10.75 million.

Vectors of viruses in crops | Plant and Animal Health content from Western Farm Press

Vectors of viruses in crops | Plant and Animal Health content from Western Farm Press

Temporary licences for swiftlet farms

By ELAN PERUMAL
elan@thestar.com.my

OPERATORS of swiftlet farms in Selangor have been asked to apply for temporary licences from their respective local authorities. 

The Selangor Government has decided to legalise swiftlet farms in a temporary move while awaiting the standard guidelines to be ready. State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said they were finalising the details of the licensing conditions. He said the standard guidelines would be ready in six months. He added that the move was necessary for the local authorities to collect licensing fee from the operators. 

“The swiftlet operators have been operating farms without paying any form of licensing fees and this has resulted in a loss of income for the local authorities. “Now, the local authorities will be able to get some revenue from the swiflet breeders. “We are also working closely with the Veterinary Department on the details of the licensing conditions,’’ he said. 

Liu said applications from those operating at high-density areas, including towns, would not be entertained. “However, consideration will be given to those who are operating at remote areas,’’ he said.

Swiftlet farms In Sibu Town

By ANDY CHUA
andychua@thestar.com.my

THE Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has issued a warning to shophouse and residential property owners that it will take action against those who operate swiftlet farms in their property. Chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said at SMC’s full council meeting yesterday that as swiftlet farming was a lucrative business, those involved in the business should not violate the law by operating such farms in their premises.

Tiong: SMC will take action on illegal swiftlet farming. The council, he said, had received many complaints about swiftlet farming causing noise pollutions.

 

“The council will take action on the complaints under the Public Health Ordinance even though the licensing of the farms is under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department,” said Tiong.

 

Tiong also posed a challenge to NGOs to extend their cleaning campaigns beyond merely picking up litter and wastes by including education. He suggested that they distributed educational leaflets and give talks to residents on the importance to have a clean environment. He said this was particularly important in view of the increasing cases of dengue in the town this year.

Need for management of artificial sounds and bird droppings

By ANDY CHUA
andychua@thestar.com.my

THE Sarawak Birdnest Supplier Association (SBSA) hopes that the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will act on new swiftlet farms operating in shophouses and residential properties.

Its vice-chairman Jesse Pang said that SBSA would welcome such action as the new farms were becoming a nuisance to the public.

“The council should stop people from operating new farm houses. Action should be taken against new farm operators and not the old ones,” he told StarMetro yesterday.

There were about 100 swiftlet farmers in Sibu in 2008 but the number has since sky-rocketed.

SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said on Monday that the council had received numerous complaints of noise pollution and bird droppings at the swiftlet farms and action would be taken under the Public Health Ordinance.

“Only new farm operators use loud music to attract the birds while the old operators do not need it as the birds are already dwelling in the farm houses. However, the council can act against any offenders,” he said.

On the issue of bird droppings, Pang said that most people had a wrong perception about it.

“It is important for the public and the council to understand that there are three types of birds involved,” he said.

The species were the white-bellied collocia which rests on buildings all day; the layang-layang which flies into towns from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and perches on trees, building ledges and electrical cables; and the white nest-house swiftlets.

The nests of the first two types had no commercial value, Pang said. They, however, caused endless problems with their droppings.

He said it was the nest-house swiftlets that people farmed.

“Most people have the wrong perception that the nest-house swiftlets are the culprits. This type is well-mannered and does not defecate anywhere except in the birdhouse.

“As the birdhouse is in one’s property all day, the operator is the one who does the cleaning, should there be bird droppings on the floor. Moreover the population of nest-house swiftlets is very low; less than 5% compared to the first two,” he said.

Pang, however, felt that acting against swiftlet farmers could affect the industry as it was lucrative, and the population of nest-house swiftlets should be allowed to grow.

He said the nest-house swiftlets could reduce the population of the other types of swiftlets.

Instead of acting against swiftlet farmers, it would be better to regulate the industry by instituting proper management of artificial sounds and bird droppings, he said.

Pang said, with 30 Government agencies in the final stages of standardising the edible birdnest industry, local authorities in the state should move forward and help the industry to grow.

Flowers And Color: How The Bees Sees Ultravioletly

Flowers And Color: How The Bees Sees Ultravioletly

Swiftlet Farming For Pulau Bruit

The only way to develop Pulau Bruit, Sarawak  is through Swiftlet Ranching. This island is very suitable according to investigation by DVS.

 

Pulau Bruit in dire straits

by Wilfred Pilo. Posted on December 11, 2010, Saturday

KUCHING: The people living in Pulau Bruit are in dire straits, especially for road connectivity and clean water supply.

HIGH TIDE: Islanders rely on river transport to reach other village. Villagers get ready to take their ride to the other villager.

According to the book, “Sarawak and Its People”, the inhabitants of Pulau Bruit in Daro district has been in existent before 1830. Today, the community was made up of mostly fishermen and farmers, earning an average income of RM700 monthly.

Since his appointment in 2007 as the community headman of Kampung Bruit, 58-year-old Penghulu Razeli Bujang said that he was optimistic and hopeful that the government will help the islanders in terms of social, economic and infrastructure developments. Razeli, who was the main host for Kuching Specialist Hospital Community Outreach Programme from Dec 3 to 5 to the island, said that as their community leader he understood the current plight of the people and their wishes from the state government.

But the former army, also the headman of the largest village on the island, urged his fellow islanders to be patient because developments would come in stages to help them out of hardships and improve their living standard. He told reporters that even though they were categorised in the hardcore poor group, they have to continue working hard and find ways to bring home earnings. Razeli revealed that fishermen can only sail out to the sea for four months in a year and earned around RM350 per month whilst farmers who relied on paddy planting get around RM300 per month.

He said that at other times, the fishermen and farmers earned their extra incomes from working as a general labourer, mending the homes of fellow villagers or did odd jobs at the mainland, outside the island. On the living conditions, Razeli said the priority was for clean water supply but they understood that the government could only provide the supply only by 2012. Mean time, they relied on rain water for drinking, washing, sanitation and carrying out other chores.

The villagers will be worry free during rainy season or when a heavy downpour but during the period of drought, they would heavily depended on outside help. Every household were given at least 4 or 5 water storage tanks by the government to ensure that they have enough daily water ration. Unfortunately, the island has no water catchment area and the underground water is dirty and salty, making it difficult to find clean water.

On inland connectivity, Razeli said that the only good tar road on the island is the 7 to 8 kilometre road from Kampung Bruit to Kampung Tekajong. People in Pulau Bruit still use the water ways as mean of transportation to get to other villagers and so depended on the water tide. Razeli disclosed that, with a population of about 2,000, some 400 people had left to live outside the island.

He said many left the island to overcome hardship while some chose to live with relatives and family members working in towns and cities. Like any responsible community headman, he hoped that the islanders would be better educated and lived a better life elsewhere but must not forget their roots and families still at the island.

There are around 205 students studying at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bruit at present and more than 100 have gone to study in SMK Daro, SMK Igan and other secondary schools in Sibu.

Despite their poverty and hardship, Kampung Bruit has produced 29 graduates so far. Razeli was glad that these people will have a much better life and hoped that they can help their relatives who still reside on the island. The islanders relied on government for various assistants to ensure that life on the island continue as normal without major illness. Razeli extended his gratitude to the KCSH Community Outreach Programme which provided medical and other services to them.

“We know that they are people who are concerned about us here and we hoped more such programme can reach the island so that we can get additional and better medical treatment other than the community clinic on the island,” he said. Lead by director of KCSH and Usaha Cendera Ngeng Eng Cheng, more than 50 volunteers including two consultant specialist doctors, five medical doctors and two dentists assisted by volunteer nurses and medical assistants joined the programme.

Apart from these medical personnels, also participating in the programme were staffs from National Registration, Pusat Pembangunan Kemahiran Sarawak (PPKS) and Agriculture Department, providing registration service for identity cards and documents, education and agriculture counselling as well as talks on ways to boost their social economic standing.

During the three days trip, medical personnel attended the islanders and discovered that more than 40 per cent of them have hypertension, high sugar level which could lead to type II diabetes and eye diseases that could jeopardise their sight.

The government has planned a project costing RM400 million for road connectivity and clean water supply in 2012 to solve the dilemmas of the people in Pulau Bruit.

深圳海关破获7亿案值燕窝走私大案(RM350,000,000 / US100Million)

KOta Tinggi Bird Nest House For Sale_0001.wmv

House Of Bird's Nest

How to make a Canoe - Ray Mears World of Survival - BBC

Dua kilang memproses sarang burung walit mengguna bahan kimia berbahaya dikenal pasti

Posted on October 24, 2010, Sunday

SEREMBAN: Dua buah kilang memproses sarang burung walit dikenal pasti menggunakan bahan kimia berbahaya untuk menjadikan warna sarang burung itu kemerah-merahan, iaitu kategori yang terbaik, bertujuan menipu pembeli. 

Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani Chua Tee Yong berkata perbuatan itu menyebabkan China, selaku pengimport utama sarang burung itu, menghantar aduan kepada kementeriannya memandangkan penggunaan bahan kimia itu yang boleh menyebabkan kanser.

Sebagai tindakan, beliau berkata kementeriannya sudah pun mengarahkan kedua-dua kilang terbabit menghentikan pengeluaran dan tindakan akan diambil oleh jabatan kesihatan.

China mengimport sarang burung walit sebanyak RM1 bilion dari Malaysia, katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Kursus Sehari Perladangan Burung Walit anjuran bersama Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Negeri Sembilan dan Persatuan Pengusaha-pengusaha Burung Walit Negeri Sembilan di sini semalam.

Chua berkata garis panduan untuk pengusaha burung walit akan diperkenalkan pada hujung tahun ini.

“Negeri Sembilan akan menjadi negeri pertama yang menguatkuasakan garis panduan ini. Ini akan membolehkan pihak berkuasa mengadakan tindakan memantau industri ini supaya rumah burung itu tidak dibuat sesuka hati,” katanya.

Beliau berkata kementerian itu merekodkan kira-kira 6,000 orang pengusaha burung walit tetapi beliau menganggarkan jumlah tidak rasmi mungkin mencecah dua kali ganda.

Bernama difahamkan sarang burung walit yang sudah diproses untuk dijadikan makanan dan minuman kesihatan boleh mencecah sehingga RM8,000 sekilogram. — Bernama

Swiftlet farms not allowed on reserve land

The Star: ELAN PERUMAL and STUART MICHAEL at the Selangor state assembly

WITH increasing encroachment by swiftlet farm operators in Kapar Tambahan Forest Reserve area, the Selangor Forestry Department will notify the Kuala Selangor Land Office to get the operators out of the area.

According to state agriculture, natural resources and entrepreneurial development committee chairman Yaakob Sapari, the Kuala Selangor land office had made a mistake in giving out Temporary Occupancy Land (TOL) inside the Kapar Tambahan Forest Reserve.

“This was not supposed to happen as it is under Forestry Land and the Forestry Department is unable to take any action due to this. “The Selangor Forestry Department will submit a working paper to cancel the TOL on the land.

“Then, the Selangor Forestry Depart­­­­ment can start replanting the area with forest trees,’’ said Yaakob, who was asked by Saari Sungib (PR-Hulu Kelang) on the illegal swiftlet farms at the Forest Reserve areas in Selan­gor and other forms of encroachment.

Sarawak Bird’s nest production rises 36% last year value RM 11.4 millions

Wednesday November 3, 2010  By SHARON LING  sharonling@thestar.com.my

SARAWAK’s production of swiftlet nests rose by 36% from 2,095kg in 2008 to 2,854kg last year, with an export value of RM8.37mil and RM11.41mil respectively.

Planning and Resource Management Assistant Minister Naroden Majais said the increase showed that the industry had the potential to be successfully developed in the state. He added that, as of October this year, the production was 1,757kg valued at RM7mil. “Swiftlet farming is a potentially lucrative industry. The market price for swiftlet nests ranges from RM3,000 to RM10,000 per kg depending on the quality and grade of the nests. “China is our biggest market for edible swiftlet nests, followed by Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia,” he told the State Assembly in Kuching in reply to Julaihi Narawi (BN - Sebuyau), Datuk Wan Abdul Wahab Wan Sanusi (BN - Sadong Jaya) and Abu Seman Jahwie (BN - Jemoreng).

Naroden said that two licences were needed for commercial swiftlet farming, one to construct the building for the swiftlets to nest in and one for the rearing of the birds. He said the state received 1,111 applications for swiftlet farming from 2008 to Oct this year. Of this, 248 licences to construct buildings and two to rear swiftlets were approved while the rest were still being evaluated. He added that the construction of swiftlet farms was continuously monitored to prevent illegal farming operations.

“The Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation conducted two inspections between 2009 and March this year, from which 418 swiftlet farming premises are being investigated. “The state has also issued warnings to owners of illegal swiftlet farms. They are advised to submit the necessary applications,” he said.

RM5mil for swiftlet farming

From http://thestar.com.my/

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has allocated RM5mil to involve the country’s hardcore poor in the swiftlet farming industry. The Veterinary Services Department has identified 500 families under the e-Kasih database who are eligible to receive an RM10,000 grant each to set up swiftlet premises.

“We will encourage them to collaborate with each other in joint swiftlet farming as bigger premises are more productive and will generate a higher income for them,” said department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin. He also announced that the swiftlet industry guidelines would be unveiled next month to govern the licensing, farming, processing as well as import and export of bird’s nest.

The industry, which is an entry point project under the Economic Transformation Programme, is expected to capture 30% of the global market and generate revenue of up to US$1.45bil (RM4.5bil) by 2020. “We are encouraging the participation of bumiputras in this industry as they currently only make up 20% of swiftlet farmers in the country,” he said after launching the 7th series of seminars on swiftlet farming at a hotel here yesterday.

Swiftlet farmers are required to attend the one-day seminar before they can be licensed.

M’sia aims for 30% of global birds nest market by 2020

Published: Saturday October 30, 2010 MYT 5:58:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to capture 30% of the global birds nest market, which is worth US$1.5bil (RM4.7bil) annually, by 2020 under the government's Economic Transformation Programme.Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abd Aziz Jamaluddin said of the figure, 70% would be food and drink products and the rest as raw material.

"The government has classified birds nest production as a high impact industry that can generate lucrative returns," he told reporters after opening a seminar on the industry organised by Global Excellent Marketing Sdn Bhd and Kelab Usahawan Tani Malaysia, here Saturday. The department, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry are spearheading the industry's growth.

The industry is categorised as an entry point project under the ETP. - Bernama

Swiftlet industry players in Sarawak want their own set of rules

By PHILIP HII
philiphii@thestar.com.my

SWIFTLET industry players in Sarawak are planing to formulate a separate set of guidelines for the state instead of following the national guidelines.

Sarawak Bird Nest Suppliers Association deputy president Jesse Tang said yesterday the decision to have a separate set of guidelines was reached after a two-day emergency meeting attended by representatives from seven bird’s nests merchants and bird’s nests suppliers associations in Sarawak.

Tang said his association would prepare the new guidelines which would be more suitable for the development of the swiftlet industry in Sarawak and present them to the Chief Minister’s Department and Sarawak Forestry Department soon.

The meeting also resolved to urge the authorities to allow swiftlet farmers to maintain the existing bird houses which were built in urban centres.

Tang, however, advised the farmers to maintain the original outlook of the buildings (normally shophouses) which they had converted into bird houses and also to ensure the noise level of the bird calls was within the government approved level at 40 decibel (dB).

He advised swiftlet farmers not to build water ponds inside the bird houses which could be breeding grounds for mosquitoe

Tang said his association was willing to assist anyone interested in swiftlet farming.

“We would like to share and impart the knowledge, wealth and benefits derived from swiftlet farming to anyone interested, regardless of race,” he said.

He estimated that there were now 5,000 bird houses in the state and they produced at least 2,500kg of raw bird’s nests valued at about RM8.8mil a month.

‘Give us alternative site’

From http://thestar.com.my

OPERATORS of swiflet farms in the heritage enclave in George Town are willing to relocate if the authorities identify a new location for them. Association for Swiftlet Nest Industries (ASNI) president Carole Loh said there should be proper planning just like the relocation of hawkers and squatters. “We are only requesting that we’re treated fairly in the relocation process,” she said when contacted yesterday.

She was commenting on the statement by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow that the state government would hold a meeting next week to work out a mechanism to implement the three-year grace period for swiftlet farms to move out of the George Town heritage enclave. Chow said the meeting would involve ASNI, Penang Heritage Trust and other related organisations.

He was quoted as saying it was up to the state government to decide when the grace period would begin.The issue of relocation arose after the National Council for Local Government had agreed on Sept 3 for swiftlet farms to move out of the Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves. Loh said the operators were awaiting details on the relocation plan. “It is almost impossible to move out without affecting the swiftlets as putting the birds in cages and moving them out is not the right way. “Swiftlets will return to their nests as soon as they are released from the cage,” she said.

Firm devises swift way to nest egg

from www.thestar.com.my By MANJIT KAUR
manjit@thestar.com.my

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A Kulim-based company has come up with a new method of breeding swiftlets in an artificial environment.Aeroswift Group of Companies group chief executive officer Khairil Sani Wong Abdullah said they are the first private company collaborating with the Veterinary Services Department and several local universities to perfect the technique. He claimed that his research-based company was the first in the world to have created an aviary in Kulim using the know-how.

Tender care: Baby swiftlets in plastic nests being fed at the Aeroswift Group of Companies. “We also have a section to breed a type of fruit fly which is used to feed the swiftlet chicks. The chicks are raised in plastic nests before they are transferred to huge cages.“The method has proven to be successful and this will stabilise the multi-billion ringgit industry for the future,” he said at an Awareness of Swiftlet Rearing Industry talk at a hotel here.

 

Khairil said a bigger research centre was being built in Selangor and it will have 12 research officers and veterinarians based there when completed by the end of next month. He added that Malaysia is the only country which legally exported bird nest to China, and there was huge market in the Middle-East and Europe as well.

2010 Budget Invigorating Agriculture Sector

The Government allocates RM3.8 billion in 2011 to increase productivity and generate higher returns in the agriculture sector. For this, the following measures will be taken:
Third: Encourage farmers participation in high value agriculture activities, including swiftlet nests, aquaculture, seaweeds, ornamental fish as well as herbs and spices with an allocation of RM135 million for basic infrastructure;

Swiftlet farming for bird nests a viable investment through ISUs

The Borneo Post

by Ronnie Teo
September 15, 2010, Wednesday

KUCHING: Swiftlet farming for bird nests will become a viable investment in Sarawak and Sabah through interest scheme units (ISUs).

Wong Teck Heng

“Given the opportunity by the state government, I believe that this investment scheme will be extremely feasible as Sarawak is blessed with the potential to support this business,” highlighted Wong Teck Heng, managing director of SSEP Resources Sdn Bhd (SSEP Resources) in a press conference yesterday. “Through this venture, we aim to give the opportunity to the general public, who do not have the time or financial capability to individually manage their swiftlet farms, to be able to profit from this growing investment method.”

The projected figures, compiled by an independent consultant experienced in the industry, affirmed the viability of this investment scheme which promises a return of more than RM270,000 over 35 years based on the purchase of one ISU. “Each unit is priced at RM10,000 for the moment, yielding approximately 75 per cent per year in returns on the original investment,” Wong said.

“However, investors would not see any return on investments for the first two years as it would take some time for swiftlets to settle and build its nests. We will only be able to harvest these nests after the third year.”

These ISUs are flexible as they come with guaranteed buy back, transferable or tradable features – a first of its kind in this industry.

Wong, who is also the secretary to the Swiftlet Farming Association, added that there were 14 swiftlet eco-parks throughout the peninsula. The group aimed to build eight more parks in Sarawak pending approval from the local government.

These are managed by a group of directors with the current chairman being Tengku Besar Terengganu Datuk Seri Sharifah Nong Alsagoff Abdillah, mother to the current Agong. This is a fully licensed business and investment tool approved by the Companies Commission of Malaysia. In addition, the trustees for these ISUs are PB Trustee Services Bhd.

On a parting note, Wong hoped that the state government will be able to work with SSEP Resources to obtain approval with this project apart from assisting in the search for suitable lands to establish these swiftlet eco-parks. “Swiftlet ranching has positive spillover effects on other industries as well. The most notable is the property sector whereby land values surrounding the eco-parks spiked, apart from the construction sector and manufacturing industries.  “We hope that the society will share this sentiment as well to help our progress in East Malaysia,” he concluded.

Swiftlet Ranching in Penang (2009)

Swiftlet farming can be profitable

Borneo Post

by Yunus Yussop
September 4, 2010, Saturday

BINTULU: Swiftlet industry can be a lucrative venture to the operators as the commodity can fetch  RM6,000 to RM7,000 per kilogramme in the current market.In the world market the highest price offered was around RM12,000 to RM24,000 per kg. Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip said the government is very supportive to expand the industry and hopefully those in the rural areas could also grab the opportunity.

He said the operations are more suitable to be carried out in the rural areas compared to the urban as a far as hygiene is concerned. Managing swiftlet  farming is also easy and there is no need for many workers but the only thing that the operators must do is to provide the place for the bird to lay and incubate its eggs and also to raise its young ones, said Talib. He said this when officiating at the closing of Swiftlets design and equipment technology workshop organised by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) at Medan Niaga, Jepak yesterday. “Unlike before, where the birds were nesting inside the caves,  now we can build a special house for them. It is more practical in the rural areas because besides preserving the environment it also can avoid other complications,” he added.

He said the big markets for the swiftlet product were   China, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore and this was due to their belief the product was rich with nutrition. Talib who is also SEDC chairman assured that more workshops on  swiftlet farming would be held in future to encourage more participation from the people and at the same time to boost the country’s economy. “Under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, the federal government wants to diversify the income of the people and the state government on the other hand will give its support by issuing more permits for swiftlets farming,” he said. 

Earlier, 61 participants took part in the workshop, which was conducted by Wong Jor Jie Abdullah from National Resource and Environment Board (NREB) Deputy Resident (Development) Sirai Daha and Sarawak Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce Bintulu branch chairman Kadir Sahib were among those present.

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Millionaire In The Making

If your bird house is full like this, I think you will become rich in a very

short time.

I met several swiftlet ranchers  and the industry players which I predicted will become millionaire in a very short time. Seeing is believing especially after I visited some of the  EBN processing plants and bird houses. My recent trip to Mukah, Sarawak was an eye opener for me.

Even though I don't own any bird house due to several constraints but  I have visited a lots of  edible birdnest premises, seminar , attending workshop, meeting and experiencing collecting cave nest with my father 20 years ago.  It was 20 years ago,  that I saw a very huge amount of cash money involve/being  distributed among the nest collectors. The traders came to my village with lots of cash and also I witness how they divided the huge cash among themselves without using calculator. At that time our Malaysian Ringgit has different colours especially the RM1000  and RM500 notes.

The black nest collected from Silabur Cave

One day I must build one myself. At the moment the location where I have a piece of land in my kampung do not have the Aerodramus fuciphagus species population . It is due to  it location which is to near the natural Silabur cave ( About 10 km distance).

Silabur Cave located 10 km from Kpg Batu Bedang.

There is one model bird house which cost only RM10,000 or RM30,000 developed by DVS with several successful birdnest rancher. This may sound ridicule but we must minimize risk of doing this business. Once the bird start building nest than you can extend to whatever size you want according to your budget. You may also apply loan from Agrobank provided you has the farming permit.

This bird house cost around RM30,000 and capable of producing 2 kg

If you don't have birdhouse, don't worry you can become the nest processor (cleaning raw unclean birdnest). I know a business person who willing to pay RM800.00  perkg for cleaning nest. If you can construct a according to good manufacturing practice (GMP) standard processing plant,  and if you process 100kg permonth that earn you a gross income of RM80,000.00 permonth.

Get more information on this lucrative industry. Read book on swiflet farming. Invest some money to attend seminar. Search materials from internet and spent some time to meet officers from the Veterinary Department and wildlife or even the PBT or majlis perbandaran on the lattest development. Don't forget to buy a copy of Good Veterinary Husbandry Practice (GAHP) on Bird's nest Ranching (SIRIM) and the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) on birnest Processing (SIRIM).

Clean Raw Birdnest valued RM10,000 per kg

All the best to you all and if you are successful one day, don't forget to let me know and share your success story in this blog.

Agrobank is going all out to woo budding and existing entrepreneurs to apply loans for its agriculture business projects which includes Walit's bird's nest business.

http://www.btimes.com.my

Agrobank is going all out to woo budding and existing entrepreneurs to apply loans for its agriculture business projects which includes Walit's bird's nest business.

  Walit, which originates from Sumatra in Indonesia, migrates to Southeast Asia with no specific transmigratory route and some people believe its nests have good health benefits.

Agrobank managing director Datuk Ahmad Said said the bank launched a RM68 million loan scheme to boost the country's bird's nest business two months ago, of which only 41 business people applied with a total loan value of RM6.3 million.

"The harvesting of Walit's bird's nests has become one of Malaysia's primary commodity exports with a potential export value of RM1 billion a year," he said.

"There is plenty of opportunities due to strong demand from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan," Ahmad Said told reporters yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

The harvesting of bird's nests is growing in Southeast Asia led by Indonesia with demand coming from Asian countries.

Under the bank's loan scheme, applicants can borrow from as low as RM10,000 to build a low-cost house and up to RM600,000 for a bungalow for the Walit to build their nests.

Ahmad said those venturing into the business will liase with the Department of Veterinary Services which will design the house and they need not worry over marketing as there are ready buyers.

Raw Walit bird's nest can fetch between RM3,000 and RM7,400 a kilogramme while the processed version can go between RM10,000 and RM18,000.

The loan, first of its kind in Malaysia, is open to Malaysians above 18 and carries an interest rate of 3.7 per cent.

Read more: Agrobank going all out to woo bird's nest entrepreneurs http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/WALIT/Article/#ixzz0xI4nRVrc

suara walet 3

suara walet 2

suara walet 1

suara walet SUARA DALAM

A very successful swiflet bird call

MODEL PREMIS WALIT BERSKALA KECIL RM 30K

Due to overwhelming response I decided to publish this RM30,000 model . This model is not yet proven but may be use as start-up for those who don't have enough capital to venture into this industry.

 

Perladangan ini dijalankan sebagai kerja sambilan untuk pendapatan sampingan. Modal permulaan dianggarkan sebanyak RM30,000 di mana premis dibina oleh pengusaha itu sendiri. Model ini boleh diubah-suai mengikut kehendak atau kemampuan pengusaha serta  kesesuaian lokasi tapak. Burung walit biasanya akan menghuni dan bertapak di dalam premis yang dibina untuk menbina sarang sekiranya micro-climate dalaman adalah sesuai.

Bangunan 2½ tingkat  sahaja memadai untuk premis permulaan ini.  Alat kelengkapan dan bahan binaan yang dicadangkan untuk premis 10’ x 30’x 2½ tingkat adalah seperti berikut:

(i)                 Kayu meranti bergaris untuk alang-alang ( 80’ x2’), Konkrit board (2 hun)

(ii)               Konkrit board (4 hun)

(iii)             Pencalit cairan sebagai pemikat ( territorial)

(iv)             1 set rakaman panggilan burung Walit bersama timer

(v)               Ajuk bunyi (tweeter) dan 2 set humidifier bersama timer

(vi)             Tiang concrete atau berlian post

(vii)           set bumbung   10’x 20’

(viii)         sinky dan paip (bahan binaan)

(ix)             2 pintu kalis mahluk perosak

(x)               aluminium (bahan binaan)

(xi)             hygrometer digital bersama timer

(xii)           jangka suhu digital bersama timer

(xiii)         alat pemadam api

(xiv)         kasut getah, topi, sarung tangan

Tapak premis perlu mempunyai populasi walit yang sentiasa ada dan sumber makanan walit seperti serangga. Ujian bunyi ajukan burung walit perlu dibuat terlebih dahulu dan adanya tindakbalas dari kumpulan walit disekitaran. Tapak berukuran sekurang-kurangnya 22’ X 35’  adalah memadai untuk membina premis ini.   

            

ANGGARAN PENDAPATAN

Sekiranya populasi walit amat banyak ditempat tersebut dan premis didiami oleh burung walit serta merta maka selepas 6 bulan hingga setahun, sekiranya dituai 50% dari sarang yang ada pada harga RM 3,000 sekilogram. Anggaran 25 sarang dapat dituai dengan nilai anggaran RM 1,250.00. Pada tuaian ke-2 (6 bulan) tuaian 50% dengan 50 sarang dengan hasil 50 sarang X RM 50.00= RM2,500.00.  Selepas tahun pertama bolehlah di tuai setiap 3 bulan pada tahun ke-2. Dianggarkan dapat >80 biji dengan hasil pada tahun ke dua setiap bulan.  Jika dibersih sendiri dapat jual RM 6,000 sekilogram.  Hasil tuaian akan sentiasa bertambah. sekiranya amalan baik perladangan walit (GAHP) dilaksanakan. Jangka hayatnya burung ini adalah 20 - 25 tahun. 

Dengan pengetahuan serta lokasi yang sesuai dan pengurusan ternakan yang sempurna pelan ini dijangka dapat meningkatkan serta menambahkan pendapatan selama > 20 tahun atau lebih. Pengusaha boleh menambah hasil pendapatan dengan membesarkan premis tersebut mengikut kemampuan masing-masing . 

           

Flap over swiftlet farms In Penang

By MANJIT KAUR
manjit@thestar.com.my

DESPITE the moratorium on swiftlet farming, birdhouses are still being erected on the island, said Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow. He said that prior to 2008, only 20-over licences were issued for the industry but there were now about 200 swiftlet farms.

Chow said the Pakatan Rakyat administration never issued any licences but he was aware of new birdhouses being erected illegally during this period. “Action can be taken against them,” he told reporters after chairing the Penang Local Government Consultative Forum at the Caring Society Complex yesterday.

Chow said they continued to have meetings on the issue at state level and with the local councils, department heads and non-governmental organisations. “We will hold another meeting with the National Heritage Department next week on the Integrated Swiftlets Industry Development Guidelines.

“We can consider various views but all the feedback on the guidelines will be raised at the Local Government National Council Meeting,” he added. Earlier, a discussion involving the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh, the state Veterinary Department and several other NGOs was held.

Loh said many people had the wrong perception about the industry, saying the association was willing to compromise with the authorities but a win-win solution was needed. “We have invested so much money into the business after being asked by the previous administration to set up the farms and now the government want us to just move out,” she said.

“There are claims the industry will be a threat to the Unesco listing but I am sure when the status was given, the relevant authorities knew about the industry in George Town. “The swiftlets are a living heritage and were around even before the Unesco status was accorded,” she added. Loh asked where the hundreds of swiftlets would go if their natural habitat was to be destroyed. “Moving out of George Town is not negotiable. In theory, everything can be done but in practice the situation is different,” she added.

Penang municipal councillor Lim Kah Cheng said it was not possible to farm in urban areas, especially in George Town. “If swiftlets are allowed, then how are we going to stop others from having chicken farms?” she asked. “The new government will not follow what has been enforced by the previous administration,” she said, adding that there were laws and regulations to be followed.

Malaysian Nature Society branch chairman D. Kanda Kumar said it was up to the state to adopt the guidelines. “We are not against swiftlet farming but I think the farms should be located in suitable areas,” he added.

Check out this great MSN Video: Record-Breaking Sea-Creature Surveys Released

Check out this great MSN Video: Record-Breaking Sea-Creature Surveys Released

Great Potential In EBN Industry

My latest seminar entitle 'Swiftlet Industry In Sarawak' received termendous respond from public. I know it is not that easy to become successful in this venture but we should not just stop there. No pain no gain and pepatah melayu..Rajin dan tidak berputus asa is the key of success.

Swiftlet farmers face two major risks

Borneo Post

by Philip Wong
August 12, 2010, Thursday

SIBU: Swiftlet breeders, especially those in the urban areas, trying to cash in on the lucrative business are making two major gambles, one of which is that they may ultimately remain as unlicensed operators.

BIG EARNING: Swiftlets busy making nests inside a farmhouse.

The second is whether their farmhouses can attract their intended guests. Secretary of Sarawak Swiftlet Association Colin Wong said there was no guarantee that they would be given the licence to operate their swiftlet farmhouses. “The risk of not getting the licence to operate the swiftlet farmhouses is always there as a decision on issuance of licences for swiftlet breeding is still pending.

“Swiftlet breeders should therefore brace for the high risks involved,” Wong said when commenting on the big interest in the industry lately. Due to its lucrative returns, many potential investors had poured millions into the industry, hoping to make fast gains within one to two years. The retail price of unprocessed nests (unclean, raw) is between RM4,000 and RM5,000 per kilogramme while processed (clean, raw) is RM10,000 and an average farmhouse can produce about 1kg of bird’s nests monthly.

An officer from Sarawak Veterinary Service headquarters, during a recent seminar on ‘Swiftlet Industry in Sarawak’ had encouraged local people to go into the industry saying it promised good earnings. At present, swiftlet ranching licensing is under the purview of the Forest Department but Wong believed that none of the farmers were licensed. He concurred that more people were jumping on the bandwagon to rear swiftlets and start a business selling bird’s nests.

In the central region alone, it is widely estimated that there are now more than 1,000 swiftlet farmhouses. The bulk of the houses are in Sarikei and Mukah Divisions, with Sibu accounting for more than 100.  Besides the risks of not getting the licence, Wong said the operators should also brace for the risk of not getting the birds to their farmhouses. This is a clear risk as many operators have lamented over their failure to attract the birds. An operator here is said to have invested about RM300,000 to build a two-storey swiftlet farmhouse at Salim Road.

Unfortunately, to date, after more than three months, the farmhouse is yet to attract a singlet swiftlet. “In all types of investment, there are risks involved. And the bird’s nest industry is just one type of investment that carries a substantial amount of risks,” Wong pointed out. He said swiftlet farmhouses that failed to attract the swiftlets after six months would normally be considered a failure.

“However, there are cases where the swiftlets will come after six months. So all hope is not lost,” he added.

Wong said the association is looking into the possibility of holding dialogues for potential swiftlet breeders to provide them with proper guidelines and techniques to attract the birds to their farmhouses.

Very Vast Opportunity in this Industry

With my network with goverment sector and the private sector entrepreneur, I can see this industry can reward you so much income.

Panti Bird Sanctuary launched by DYMM Sultan Johor 2010-08-09

Panti Bird Sanctuary launched by DYMM Sultan Johor 2010-08-09

MNS JOHOR AGM 2010-07-24

MNS JOHOR AGM 2010-07-24

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.

Penang swiflet industry needs a proper nest

By Marina Emmanuel

Published: 2010/07/21

As Penang celebrates its month-long George Town Heritage Festival to commemorate the second year of the city's listing as a Unesco World Heritage site, the issue of swiflet farming hovers over the heads of its authorities. Malaysia is currently looking at implementing the Swiflet Industry Guidelines for bird's nest harvesters to turn the business into a RM5 billion industry by 2020.  The issue being faced in George Town currently is that the swiflet industry is co-existing along residents and businesses of the historic inner city.  So-called "restored" shophouses are said to be fronts of swiflet farms, since swiflet farmers are believed to prefer buying or renting properties in George Town, than locate their operations in an agricultural area.

The hardened nests made up of swiflet saliva have been a delicacy treasured by the Chinese for centuries. The global market for bird's nest is said to be worth billions of ringgit.  Because of the head-start it had about two decades ago in swiflet farming on a commercial scale, Indonesia supplies between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of the delicacy consumed worldwide, mainly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Macau, Singapore and North America. In 2008, the bird's nest industry was worth RM1 billion with unpackaged bird's nest fetching up to RM7,000 per kg.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar had recently said the guidelines for swiflet farming were aimed at reducing red tape by making licensing easier.  He said the Department of Veterinary Services, which prepared the guidelines, were simplifying the process of obtaining approvals with the Health Ministry, Department of Environment, Wildlife and National parks Department, Farmers' Organisation Authority and local authorities.

Among others, Noh said the guidelines encompassed the good husbandry practices, good manufacturing practice and edible bird's nest certification. They also cover import and export approvals, coordination by the department of city and town planning, registration and licensing.

George Town is currently home to an estimated 300 swiflet farms, which are said to be operating out of shophouses. The majority of these operators are believed to not have any licences to operate the business in the city.

The state authorities are now being asked to move fast to prevent further noise, smell, property damage and unsanitary conditions, which are now associated when swiflet farms over shophouses in George Town.

All it takes now is for a special area or zone to be designated for swiftlet operations and allow the industry to soar and rake in the high investments it is touted to yield.

Read more: Penang swiflet industry needs a proper nest http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/swift8/Article/#ixzz0ve6r9Jwl

Sabah to develop bird’s nest industry to help the poor

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will develop the bird’s nest industry to help improve the incomes of rural people, particularly the poor.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said that 60 people from among the poor would be picked for a project undertaken by the federal Veterinary Services Department to develop the industry nationwide.

Yahya, who is also state Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, told the state assembly that the programme was part of other plans to develop the industry.

He also said the state’s Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry Department as well as Sabah Rural Development Corporation were applying for funds under the 10th Malaysia Plan to develop the industry in rural areas.

He added that the state was participating as a member in formulation of policy and guidelines for the swiftlet industry.

To a question, Yahya said the traditional swiftlet industry at Guamuntong and Madai caves would not be affected by the encouragement of the swiflet farming industry in the state.

Is edible birdnest safe to eat?

Swiftlet industry players urged to follow guideline

July 13, 2010, Tuesday

KUALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar has urged swiftlet industry players to follow the guideline approved by the Cabinet. He said approval of the swiftlet industry guideline (1GP) means that 50,000 swiftlet premises will have to be registered with the Veterinary Services Department (JPV).

The National Council On Local Government meeting on Friday was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The first of its kind in the world, the swiftlet industry guideline will also be implemented in Sabah and Sarawak.

Noh said it is aimed at addressing issues like smell, noise and diseases while developing the RM1 billion industry in a holistic manner. “Swiftlet industry players must ready to register with JPV. I can understand if they feel uneasy about the guideline as they have been doing the business for decades.

“Under the guideline, they are certain things that they can’t do. We are giving ample notice as we don’t want to burden the people,” Noh added. Swiftlet industry players can register swiftlet premises via the website http://www.burungwalit.com.my  which can be accessed starting yesterday. — Bernama