KUALA LUMPUR: The edible swiftlet nest industry in this country is a highly lucrative one with the annual turnover reaching RM1 billion.But a critical issue pertaining to the licensing of the swiftlet farms within buildings located in towns may retard the industry if no solution is found.
Local authorities are against the idea of having swiftlet farms in towns as they can cause nuisance to the public and pollute the environment. But places like Sarawak, though the swiftlet farms are forbidden in towns, still has to find a solution for more than 1,500 illegal swiftlet farms.
But any attempt to eradicate the illegal swiftlet farms will bring negative impact to the industry.
So what is the best option in solving this problem to ensure that the effort to boost the industry is not derailed?
The licensing issue cropped up in October last year after the authorities conducted an exercise to clear up illegal swiftlet farms in Mukah town. The move by the authorities has put many swiftlet farm owners in a quandary and raised many questions on the way the exercise was carried out.
During the exercise the swiftlet chicks protected under the Wildlife Act 1972 were left to die in the nests that were confiscated by the authorities. Those annoyed with the move even posted the video on the chicks’ fate on youtube.
The action taken by the local authorities has certainly ruffled some feathers, especially the swiftlet farmers. Thus the Swiftlet Merchant Association in Mukah requested Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to help find a solution.
The same request from the counterparts in Sibu and Sarikei followed suit. The bottom line is that the farm owners wanted to continue operations in the existing premises with most of them being shoptlots. But the local authorities are steadfast with their stand. There has to be some control Despite the edible swiftlet nest’s huge commercial potential, Sarawak’s 1998 Wildlife Protection Ordinance prohibits the species from being bred in other than its natural habitat like the caves. And this has made things difficult for the industry.
The director of Sarawak’s Forestry Department who is also the Wildlife Controller for Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the state government wanted the industry to be developed in a controlled manner in accordance with the existing laws. Len Talif pointed out about 100 licences have been approved from the 600 to 700 applications received since May.
“Most of the licences approved are for the ‘old-players’ who conform to the prerequisites,” said Len Talif when contacted by Bernama in Kuching. “The rest were rejected as their proposed swiftlet farms are in towns,” he said adding that enforcement measures will be taken against illegal swiftlet farms.
The licences were issued for swiftlet farming in Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Sarikei with all of the swiftlet farms in agricultural areas. Positive development Nonetheless, the industry views the issuance of the licence as a positive development when looking at the situation prior to May this year where only two of the more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in the state were licensed.
Swiftlet farming also needs approval from agencies like the Land and Survey Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the local authorities. And the good news is that the state government is to build three swiftlet eco-parks in Mukah, Sarikei and Bintulu respectively with lots to be sold and rented out to those who are keen.
However, many are sceptical that the birds will nest at the eco-park and feared the bureaucratic hassle. Exemptions in towns? Thus this scepticism has prompted a big number of swiftlet farm owners to seek exemptions and continue with their activities in the existing premises in towns.
The swiftlet nest entrepreneurs also hope to adopt guidelines like the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) for the swiftlets, so that they will be allowed to ply their trade within towns as done by their counterparts in Peninsula.
“We will follow this guideline,” noted the protem chairman for the Sarikei Swiftlet Nest Merchants’ Association Wong Hua Ting, which is in opposition to the state government’s stand that the swiflet farming should only be carried out at agricultural areas or the proposed eco-park.
Swiftlet farming in populated areas could create pandemonium among the public especially when there are diseases involving this species of bird. The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has conducted more than 5,000 tests on the birds and have confirmed that the swiflet are free from bird flu and Newcastle disease.
Premises must be registered with JPV (Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar) The DVS is also preparing the guidelines on swiftlet farming and the draft proposals will be forwarded to the Steering Committee for the National Swiftlet Industry on Dec 14. The guideline known as “1GP” makes it compulsory for swiftlet breeding premises to be registered with DVS.
However before the guideline could be adopted by the local authorities, it would be brought to the attention of the National Council on Local Government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which is expected to meet March next year. “The guideline will set the standard for all local governments. It will help traders and swiftlet farm owners to venture into this field in a more organised manner,” said the chairman of the Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants’ Associations Datuk Beh Heng Seong. No more confiscation of nests
Regarding the guideline, Len Talif noted that the Sarawak state government is ready to adopt the guideline as long as it does not contradict with the state ordinance which would be continuously enforced. He also gave assurance that in future the nests would not be confiscated and instead a compound will be issued and only the equipment used will be confiscated.
This development is seen as a positive indication pertaining to enforcement but this does not mean it has opened the doors for all to start swiftlet farms without authorisation.
The government wants to see 100,000 swiftlet farms producing 500 tonnes of the bird’s nest annually worth RM5 billion by 2020. The swiftlet nest from this country is of high quality and is highly sought after in China and Arab with the prices fetching up to RM10,000 per kilogram.
Thus the solution for this licensing issue is highly pertinent and all parties involved should work hand in hand to ensure that the edible bird nest industry remains vibrant and the nation stands at par with Indonesia and Thailand, the leading producers. — Bernama
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tap swiftlets potential
2009/12/04 http://www.nst.com.my/articles/23sati/Article/index_html
A STATE assemblyman yesterday proposed a novel way to help sundry shop operators adversely affected by the influx of hypermarkets. In debating the state 2010 Budget, Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) said the government could kill two birds with one stone by allowing those affected to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels for bird nest farming.
He made the suggestion following the closure of many sundry shops which had failed to compete with hypermarkets, whose number was mushrooming in the state."Sundry shop operators stand to lose when pitched against hypermarkets as the latter have the capital to buy stocks in bulk and resell them at a much lower price than sundry shops," he said.By allowing and assisting the operators to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels, Tee said this would allow them to continue to earn a decent living."Bird's nest has a huge and lucrative market in China, Hong Kong and other international places, so I urge the government to give it special attention and tap its potential," he said.
Tee said he was thankful to the state government for bringing the matter to the Federal Government's attention.However, he said there was a need to have guidelines to govern swiftlet hotels which have become the subject of criticism by some residents because of noise pollution and hygiene problems.He said banks had also become aware of the potential of the industry and had started to finance such ventures."It could be very beneficial to the state economy as Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of bird's nest last year, which was equivalent to five per cent of the world market for the product," he said.Tee also urged the government to simplify bird's nest exports and swiftlet hotel licensing so that the industry could grow even faster in the state.
A STATE assemblyman yesterday proposed a novel way to help sundry shop operators adversely affected by the influx of hypermarkets. In debating the state 2010 Budget, Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) said the government could kill two birds with one stone by allowing those affected to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels for bird nest farming.
He made the suggestion following the closure of many sundry shops which had failed to compete with hypermarkets, whose number was mushrooming in the state."Sundry shop operators stand to lose when pitched against hypermarkets as the latter have the capital to buy stocks in bulk and resell them at a much lower price than sundry shops," he said.By allowing and assisting the operators to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels, Tee said this would allow them to continue to earn a decent living."Bird's nest has a huge and lucrative market in China, Hong Kong and other international places, so I urge the government to give it special attention and tap its potential," he said.
Tee said he was thankful to the state government for bringing the matter to the Federal Government's attention.However, he said there was a need to have guidelines to govern swiftlet hotels which have become the subject of criticism by some residents because of noise pollution and hygiene problems.He said banks had also become aware of the potential of the industry and had started to finance such ventures."It could be very beneficial to the state economy as Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of bird's nest last year, which was equivalent to five per cent of the world market for the product," he said.Tee also urged the government to simplify bird's nest exports and swiftlet hotel licensing so that the industry could grow even faster in the state.
Swift exodus to Indonesia
By Anthony Joseph http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=63954
Red tape blamed for estimated RM10 mln invested on swiftlets in Pontianak by local entrepreneurs
MIRI: Red tape in obtaining licence to rear swiftlets in the state is forcing operators to invest in Pontianak, Indonesia.“Their investments are now worth around RM10 million in Indonesia,” advisor to Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Unit in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Adzmy Abdullah revealed yesterday. According to Adzmy, although Sarawak is the main producer of edible bird nest, the production is still very much behind those of Perak and Selangor.
“To date, the state has around 1,500 breeders or operators but they are not operating at home because of difficulties in obtaining the licence. Circumstances are forcing them to invest in Indonesia instead where procedures are relatively easier to fulfil,” Azmy said. “In this context, we urge the government, particularly Forestry Department, to reduce the redtape as incentive to encourage more locals to go into the industry here on home soil, thereby increasing the local production,” he added.
According to him, most of the breeders in the state are in Samarahan, Mukah, Sarikei and Miri.
On other development, Azdmy said the government had come up with guidelines to facilitate and encourage local participation in the industry. “There are big potentials in the industry because of their medicinal value especially in Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Asia Pacific. Middle East are now showing interest,” he added. According to Azmy, export value up to 2007 is around 150 metric tonnes, which is worth around RM750 million , while current market price is around RM3,500 to RM4,500 – depending on their grade.
The main producing countries are Indonesia (80 per cent) followed by Thailand and Malaysia.
Red tape blamed for estimated RM10 mln invested on swiftlets in Pontianak by local entrepreneurs
MIRI: Red tape in obtaining licence to rear swiftlets in the state is forcing operators to invest in Pontianak, Indonesia.“Their investments are now worth around RM10 million in Indonesia,” advisor to Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development Unit in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Adzmy Abdullah revealed yesterday. According to Adzmy, although Sarawak is the main producer of edible bird nest, the production is still very much behind those of Perak and Selangor.
“To date, the state has around 1,500 breeders or operators but they are not operating at home because of difficulties in obtaining the licence. Circumstances are forcing them to invest in Indonesia instead where procedures are relatively easier to fulfil,” Azmy said. “In this context, we urge the government, particularly Forestry Department, to reduce the redtape as incentive to encourage more locals to go into the industry here on home soil, thereby increasing the local production,” he added.
According to him, most of the breeders in the state are in Samarahan, Mukah, Sarikei and Miri.
On other development, Azdmy said the government had come up with guidelines to facilitate and encourage local participation in the industry. “There are big potentials in the industry because of their medicinal value especially in Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Asia Pacific. Middle East are now showing interest,” he added. According to Azmy, export value up to 2007 is around 150 metric tonnes, which is worth around RM750 million , while current market price is around RM3,500 to RM4,500 – depending on their grade.
The main producing countries are Indonesia (80 per cent) followed by Thailand and Malaysia.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Not easy to make the right choice
SWITLFETS make their nests using interwoven strands of their saliva. The gelatinous and semi-transparent substance is much sought after by the Chinese for its rich nutrients that are said to enhance one’s health and beauty.
They are easily available in most Chinese medicine halls as bottled nests in sugary soup and boxes of whole nests. Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye, shared some tips on how to choose the bird’s nests
First and foremost, no two bird’s nests are the same. “If they are genuine ones made by the swiftlets, their shapes and sizes vary,” he said. Secondly, they retain a fishy smell.
“Flies are attracted to the pile of nests we harvested, showing that genuine bird’s nests really do have an odour,” Mah said. Thirdly, the whiter it is, the more cautious one should be because it might have been bleached.
“It’s okay if the nest contains tiny bits of feather — this is a sure sign that the nest is made by swiftlets,” Mah said. While it is not easy to differentiate genuine and fake bird’s nests just by looking, he advised consumers to shop for reliable brands.
They are easily available in most Chinese medicine halls as bottled nests in sugary soup and boxes of whole nests. Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye, shared some tips on how to choose the bird’s nests
First and foremost, no two bird’s nests are the same. “If they are genuine ones made by the swiftlets, their shapes and sizes vary,” he said. Secondly, they retain a fishy smell.
“Flies are attracted to the pile of nests we harvested, showing that genuine bird’s nests really do have an odour,” Mah said. Thirdly, the whiter it is, the more cautious one should be because it might have been bleached.
“It’s okay if the nest contains tiny bits of feather — this is a sure sign that the nest is made by swiftlets,” Mah said. While it is not easy to differentiate genuine and fake bird’s nests just by looking, he advised consumers to shop for reliable brands.
Meda on returns from swiftlet farming
PETALING JAYA: Swiftlet farming, which is a relatively new industry in the country, may see an investor reap returns on investments of about RM965,500 after a seven-year period by investing RM688,000 in a swiftlet house.
According to Meda Inc Bhd director Vincent Tiew, with the rapidly emerging bird’s nest market globally, the demand for bird’s nests had grown tremendously. “The market demand for quality bird’s nests is increasing in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony between Sri Lingga Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Meda Inc Bhd, and Golden Swift Resources Sdn Bhd (GSR) to launch an integrated eco-development named Nusa Swiftlet Eco-City yesterday. “As long as there are Chinese in the world, bird’s nests will be consumed,” he said.
Nusa Swiftlet is the only swiftlet house development in Malaysia that has obtained permission from the local authority, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. “This kind of modern swiftlet cultivation integrated project is still uncommon in Malaysia,” he said.
Each unit is a three-storey swiftlet house built on a one-acre land with built-up area of 22 ft by 72 ft. “Any extra land could be utilised for fruit or organic vegetable farming,” he said.
, adding that every single unit consists of reinforced concrete double walls and other swiftlet cultivation devices.” A total of 52 units are for sale at RM688,000 each. “You can do swiftlet cultivation on one acre of land and the yield way surpasses what you can do with one other long-standing industries,” he said.
Currently, Malaysia is the second largest exporter of bird’s nests, with annual production of about 135 tonnes. The price of bird’s nests has risen tremendously over the years. Currently, it ranges between RM2,000 and RM4,800 per kg for unprocessed nests and RM8,500 for processed nests while premium grade can reach RM10,000 to RM15,000. Tiew said investors could manage swiftlet houses themselves or assign the responsibility to GSR.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news
According to Meda Inc Bhd director Vincent Tiew, with the rapidly emerging bird’s nest market globally, the demand for bird’s nests had grown tremendously. “The market demand for quality bird’s nests is increasing in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Korea,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony between Sri Lingga Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Meda Inc Bhd, and Golden Swift Resources Sdn Bhd (GSR) to launch an integrated eco-development named Nusa Swiftlet Eco-City yesterday. “As long as there are Chinese in the world, bird’s nests will be consumed,” he said.
Nusa Swiftlet is the only swiftlet house development in Malaysia that has obtained permission from the local authority, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. “This kind of modern swiftlet cultivation integrated project is still uncommon in Malaysia,” he said.
Each unit is a three-storey swiftlet house built on a one-acre land with built-up area of 22 ft by 72 ft. “Any extra land could be utilised for fruit or organic vegetable farming,” he said.
, adding that every single unit consists of reinforced concrete double walls and other swiftlet cultivation devices.” A total of 52 units are for sale at RM688,000 each. “You can do swiftlet cultivation on one acre of land and the yield way surpasses what you can do with one other long-standing industries,” he said.
Currently, Malaysia is the second largest exporter of bird’s nests, with annual production of about 135 tonnes. The price of bird’s nests has risen tremendously over the years. Currently, it ranges between RM2,000 and RM4,800 per kg for unprocessed nests and RM8,500 for processed nests while premium grade can reach RM10,000 to RM15,000. Tiew said investors could manage swiftlet houses themselves or assign the responsibility to GSR.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news
Saturday, November 14, 2009
KELANTAN PRODUCED 1000KG BIRD'S NEST PER MONTH
Kelantan estimated to produced 1000kg of bird's nest per month. That equivalent of RM 3 millions.The council also happily collect about RM 1000 per premis.
Please see all the picture.
Do you know beside this, any other state produce that nuch?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
S’wak Bird’s Nests Suppliers Association to be launched
SIBU: The Sarawak Bird’s Nests Suppliers Association (SBNSA) will be officially launched on Nov 15 at RH Hotel at 9.30am.Its pro tem deputy chairman Jesse Tang said SBNSA recently received an approval letter from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) confirming its official registration. “As such we invite all swiftlet farmhouse investors throughout the state to join the association,” he said at a press conference yesterday. Tang said SBNSA currently had over 1,000 members from Kuching to Miri.“There are at least 1,000 swiftlet farmhouse operators out there who have yet to join the association. We sincerely call on them to join the association and to get all the benefits which the members enjoy,” he said.
Members can attend courses and workshops at a minimal fee on bird’s nest processing and other techniques like ranching as well as ways to improve their farmhouses. “We provide all the updates on techniques and processing skills to our members to help them equip themselves on swiftlet farming,” he said.
Tang said not all swiftlet farmers are fully aware of swiftlet ranching techniques and that was why over 70 per cent of those who ventured into the business failed. “Operating a swiftlet farms is equivalent to operating a bank. Obviously, there will be no customers if you set up your bank in the middle of the jungle and likewise, if you operate the farmhouses in the jungle, the birds will not come either,” he said.
Tang reminded investors against rushing into the business without confirming the viability of their projects, which is the key for all investments. “It’s not the approval from the respective authorities that counts but it’s the investment location that holds the key to the success in the bird’s nests business,” he said.
According to Tang, Sarawak currently produces about three tonnes of bird’s nests per month.
“Sarikei ranks top, followed by Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Sibu and so forth,” he said.
Nationwide, he said the country exported about RM1 million worth of bird’s nests per annum, making it one of the country’s largest export earners. As such, Tang said the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is concerned about farmhouse operators and the production of high quality bird’s nests.
“We may not be able to overtake Indonesia, which is the world’s biggest supplier of bird’s nests, but we can build ourselves to become one of the major suppliers of high quality bird’s nests in the world,” he added.
From www.theborneopost.com
Members can attend courses and workshops at a minimal fee on bird’s nest processing and other techniques like ranching as well as ways to improve their farmhouses. “We provide all the updates on techniques and processing skills to our members to help them equip themselves on swiftlet farming,” he said.
Tang said not all swiftlet farmers are fully aware of swiftlet ranching techniques and that was why over 70 per cent of those who ventured into the business failed. “Operating a swiftlet farms is equivalent to operating a bank. Obviously, there will be no customers if you set up your bank in the middle of the jungle and likewise, if you operate the farmhouses in the jungle, the birds will not come either,” he said.
Tang reminded investors against rushing into the business without confirming the viability of their projects, which is the key for all investments. “It’s not the approval from the respective authorities that counts but it’s the investment location that holds the key to the success in the bird’s nests business,” he said.
According to Tang, Sarawak currently produces about three tonnes of bird’s nests per month.
“Sarikei ranks top, followed by Mukah, Bintulu, Kuching, Sibu and so forth,” he said.
Nationwide, he said the country exported about RM1 million worth of bird’s nests per annum, making it one of the country’s largest export earners. As such, Tang said the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is concerned about farmhouse operators and the production of high quality bird’s nests.
“We may not be able to overtake Indonesia, which is the world’s biggest supplier of bird’s nests, but we can build ourselves to become one of the major suppliers of high quality bird’s nests in the world,” he added.
From www.theborneopost.com
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