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

Thriving swiftlet farming industry helps to supplement income

June 11, 2010, Friday

KUALA LUMPUR: The thriving swiftlet farming industry is set to help the nation realise the New Economic Model (NEM) goals, especially in creating a high income society.The bird nest export that fetches RM1.5 billion in annual revenue is a big contributer for the nation’s economy, and it is one of the trades that provide quick returns.

Moreover, the capital outlay is relatively small and the returns can be realised within a short period.Swiftlet farming involves an initial capital between RM10,000 and RM30,000 to set up a bird house on a 10 feet by 15 feet site, minus the cost of purchasing or leasing the site. If the investors think of joining the ranks of the big players in the industry, than the initial investment can be anything between RM250,000 and RM600,000.

In states like Melaka, Penang and Sarawak, shoplots have been modified into ‘bird house’ to get a slice of this lucrative industry.The Girl with the Dragon TattooThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The bird’s nest soup is highly nutrious and said to contain elements that contribute to the ‘fountain of youth’.

It is also said to improve blood circulation and in mainland China its consumption is linked with one’s status in the society. It is also a delight savoured by the elites in the Arab world.

Realising of the bird nest industry’s potential to the economy, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry through Agrobank has set aside RM67.7 million to finance swiftlet farming. Agrobank’s managing director Datuk Ahmad Said noted that the move is in line with the government’s effort to boost up the people’s annual income from US$7,000 to US$15,000 as underscored by the NEM. Ahmad noted that the special fund will enable at least 2,000 potential entrepreneurs to venture into small scale swiftlet farming costing between RM10,000 and RM30,000 while enjoying an interest rate that is as low as 3.75 per cent.

Industry observers note that the loan from Agrobank will allow entrepreneurs from all races to participate in the trade that is currently being monopolied by Chinese entrepreneurs. Ahmad pointed out that the raw bird nest could fetch between RM3,000-RM4,000 per kg and the processed ones can go up to RM12,000 and the high prices is helping the industry to thrive. It is reported that at present there is about 50,000 swiftlet farms all over the nation.

In enticing the poor to participate in the trade, the government also launched a grant worth RM5 million to enable 500 poor families to undertake swiftlet farming. Under the grant, selected families (those earning below RM450 a month) will be provided a bird house worth RM10,000 that is to supplement the family’s income.

In a media report dated Feb 11, 2010, the Veterinary Services director general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin stated that the department would identify the poor families to be enlisted in swiftlet farming.

However, the lucrative industry that started with the migration of the swiftlets from Indonesia over the last 10 years is yet to settle the regulatory issues. The 1GP guideline for swiftlet farming set by the Veterinary Services Department is yet to reach the cabinet for approval. The Agriculture and Agrobased Industries Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar had previously stated that the 1GP that would serve as the standard for the industry had been finalised by the ministry’s officials and would be brought to the minister’s attention. Apart from the Agriculture and Agrobased Industries Ministry, swiflet farming also involves three other ministries – Health Ministry, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

What is certain, like what the industry players hope, 1GP will be implemented immediately to address issues relating to establishing bird houses within city limits that contributes to odour, noise and risk of diseases. Apart from maintaining the status as the leading producer of the bird’s nest in Southeast Asia, the fund and guideline will help propel Malaysia into the forefront of the trade in less than 10 years time.

At present, the main market for the bird’s nest is China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore with Malaysia earning a reputation as the producer of good quality bird nests after Indonesia and Thailand. — Bernama