| Swiftlet farming must be eco-friendly: Talib |
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MUKAH: Swiftlet farmers have been urged to adopt an eco-friendly approach to swiftlet farming similar to those of their West Malaysian counterparts. "In West Malaysia, swiftlet farmers have better knowl-edge and skills than the locals here, so it pays to adopt their approach;" Assistant Minister of Tourism and Heritage Datuk Talib Zulpilip said. He was speaking at the opening of the Swiftlet Farming Course organised by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) at Kingwood Hotel here last Sunday. Malaysia is one of the sev-eral countries suitable for swiftlet farming in the region, together with Indonesia and Thailand, said Talib who is also SEDC Chairman and Jepak State Assemblyman. Talib pointed out that demand for the edible bird's nestkepton increasing, espe-cially from Central Asia and some of Western countries. He said that if swiftlet farming is taken seriously, it could become a profitable business venture. "The living standard of swiftlet farmers, if they are serious in their business, can be greatly uplifted as well as the economy of the country," he said. He advised the people in the rural areas, especially the Bumiputera, to take up swift-et farming and promised to help them if they carry it out according to the rules and regulations stipulated by the supervising agency. On the issuance of proper licences to swiftlet farmers, he said the government might consider issuing them if the farming sites were eco-friendly (not posing any environmental and health hazards to the surrounding communities). The one-day course was attended by 200 aspiring swiftlet farmers from Matu, Daro, Dalat, Balingian, Oya and Mukah. Among those present were Daro State Assemblyman Murni Suhaili, Mukah Resident Ilaji Saudi Narani, SEDC General Manager Dr Sulaiman Hussaini, Dalat/ Mukah District Council Walikota Haji Ali Suhaili, local heads of departments and community leaders. Eastern Times 2/02/2010 |
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