June 10, 2010 11:53 AM
Bernama
By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- 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.
LOAN FUND
In states like Melaka, Penang and Sarawak, shoplots have been modified into 'bird house' to get a slice of this lucrative industry.
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 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 AS$7,000 to AS$15,000 as underscored by the NEM.
SEKING THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL RACES
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 percent.
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 familes to undertake swiftlet farming.
1GP TAKEN TO THE MINISTRY LEVEL
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 11 Feb 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.
MAINTAIN THE PRODUCER'S STATUS
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
Showing posts with label loans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loans. Show all posts
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Agrobank Disburses Loan For Swiftlets' Bird Nest Industry
May 26, 2010 15:56 PM
Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Agrobank has set up a RM67.7 million loan fund to finance swiftlets' bird nest-related industry whose export value is worth more than RM1 billion a year.
Managing Director Datuk Ahmad Said said the fund, launched on May 19, will enable 2,000 swiftlet enthusiasts to build low-cost swiftlets' farm homes costing between RM10,000 and RM30,000 each.
The loans will be disbursed at 3.75 per cent interest per annum, he said.
There was no special allocation made for the industry previously, he said.
The newly-created fund will help swiftlet farmers to venture into the lucrative industry, he told a media conference on the loan scheme for the swiftlet industry.
Ahmad said the fund was set up in line with the government's initiatives under the New Economic Model to increase the people's income from US$7,000 to US$15,000 a year.
Swiftlets' bird nest industry is among the high-impact industries being given emphasis by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry besides breeding freshwater arowana fish and growing seaweeds.
Agrobank, entrusted to develop the nation's agriculture industry, issued RM6.3 million in loans to 41 swiftlet farmers in the last two years, he added.
The swiftlet bird nest industry, which started with the migration of the bird species from Indonesia about 10 years ago, is booming at a rapid pace, with some 50,000 farm homes operating nationwide.
While unprocessed swiftlets' bird nests cost between RM3,000 and RM4,000 a kilogramme, processed ones can fetch up to RM12,000 a kilogramme.
The main markets are China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Agrobank has set up a RM67.7 million loan fund to finance swiftlets' bird nest-related industry whose export value is worth more than RM1 billion a year.
Managing Director Datuk Ahmad Said said the fund, launched on May 19, will enable 2,000 swiftlet enthusiasts to build low-cost swiftlets' farm homes costing between RM10,000 and RM30,000 each.
The loans will be disbursed at 3.75 per cent interest per annum, he said.
There was no special allocation made for the industry previously, he said.
The newly-created fund will help swiftlet farmers to venture into the lucrative industry, he told a media conference on the loan scheme for the swiftlet industry.
Ahmad said the fund was set up in line with the government's initiatives under the New Economic Model to increase the people's income from US$7,000 to US$15,000 a year.
Swiftlets' bird nest industry is among the high-impact industries being given emphasis by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry besides breeding freshwater arowana fish and growing seaweeds.
Agrobank, entrusted to develop the nation's agriculture industry, issued RM6.3 million in loans to 41 swiftlet farmers in the last two years, he added.
The swiftlet bird nest industry, which started with the migration of the bird species from Indonesia about 10 years ago, is booming at a rapid pace, with some 50,000 farm homes operating nationwide.
While unprocessed swiftlets' bird nests cost between RM3,000 and RM4,000 a kilogramme, processed ones can fetch up to RM12,000 a kilogramme.
The main markets are China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, February 11, 2010
RM5 Million Allocation For Swiftlet Bird Farming
February 11, 2010 23:14 PM
Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The government has provided a grant of RM5 million this year to help the poor to venture into swiftlet farming.
Director-general of Veterinary Services Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said those who were eligible would be identified from the application through the respective state Veterinary Department, and the decision on the selection of the candidates would be known within two months.
Besides financial assistance, they would also be given courses on farming the Swiftlets before starting the business, he told reporters here Thursday.
Dr Abdul Aziz said although the number was relatively small, it was a starting point and additional provision would be requested if the programme proved to be successful.
He said the government had provided a RM200 million loan through the Agro Bank for those who wanted to venture into the business on a moderate or big scale but the project would have to wait for the approval from the Finance Ministry.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The government has provided a grant of RM5 million this year to help the poor to venture into swiftlet farming.
Director-general of Veterinary Services Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin said those who were eligible would be identified from the application through the respective state Veterinary Department, and the decision on the selection of the candidates would be known within two months.
Besides financial assistance, they would also be given courses on farming the Swiftlets before starting the business, he told reporters here Thursday.
Dr Abdul Aziz said although the number was relatively small, it was a starting point and additional provision would be requested if the programme proved to be successful.
He said the government had provided a RM200 million loan through the Agro Bank for those who wanted to venture into the business on a moderate or big scale but the project would have to wait for the approval from the Finance Ministry.
-- BERNAMA
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