Dr Rundi (holding the tray) observing how BSF is produced at the Mega BSF Factory.
Sarawak hopes to reduce animal feed imports by looking into breeding the black soldier fly (BSF) larvae as an alternative.
According to Sarawak Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, BSF farming will help to ease food security issues in view of the soaring price for imported animal feed.
“BSF farming can reduce livestock breeders’ dependency on imported raw materials such as grain corn,” he said during a visit to Mega BSF Factory in Rantau Panjang, Sibu.
He added that this dependency on raw materials from foreign countries was causing a rise in prices of chicken and other meats.
Dr Rundi said the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) was in a position to expand BSF farming and make it big in the future.
He noted that the two main challenges the state faced in expanding BSF farming throughout Sarawak was technology and whether entrepreneurs would be willing to venture into BSF farming.
“We are thankful that we have one place here (Mega BSF Factory).
“Perhaps in every division, we can create a few more so that we can reduce the price of BSF materials in terms of logistics.
“The challenge is to change people’s mindset to realise the agriculture sector dream in Sarawak,” he said. — By ANDY CHUA
