GEORGE TOWN – The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has confirmed that the supply of chicken and eggs in the country is enough to meet the high demand ahead of the coming Ramadan month.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said he had held a discussion he had with poultry farmers about problems they face, including the lack of migrant workers.
“The supply of eggs and chicken is enough…we have already discussed this with egg and poultry farmers. The shortage was caused by a lack of manpower, which is being rectified.
“The government, with the cooperation of the Immigration Department, police, and the Human Resources Ministry will facilitate the process so that operators can hire more workers,” he said at a press conference after officiating the Agrotourism and Agroyouth Tour Programme here today.
He said the relaxation in hiring workers implemented by the government is only in terms of facilitating the legalisation of migrant workers without permits.
Mohamad said besides the shortage of migrant workers, rising prices for feed like soy and corn also affect supply.
“Corn and soy are still being imported. At the moment, corn grown in Malaysia is not suitable for chicken feed.
“However, we are already starting to grow it in Perlis. We are doing this on a large scale so that we do not have to import, in addition to it being a measure of controlling chicken prices,” he added. – Bernama, February 25, 2023
