BANGI – The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) recorded sales of 413 sacrificial cows worth RM2.07 million this year, chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif announced.
He said the sales, made through Risda subsidiary Risda Livestock Sdn Bhd (RLSB), showed an increase of 85% from last year’s.
“Last year, we only achieved about 10% to 15% of that sales following the movement control order) imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, we saw rather high demand especially as we entered the transition to the endemic phase where most activities have been allowed,” he said after attending the Korban Risda 2022 programme here today.
RLSB was established in 1999 to manage integrated farming and cattle breeding at Risda oil palm plantations and to market high-quality halal local beef.
Salim said RLSB is now able to produce 6,000 cows a year through feedlot rearing in 10 oil palm plantations measuring 47,000ha across the country.
He said the number would be increased to 10,000 cows to meet the demands for high-quality local beef.
“Risda also aims to become a leader in halal beef production through strategic partnerships with several companies, such as Koperasi Pos Nasional Bhd, Protaz International Sdn Bhd, and Mamu Livestock Sdn Bhd,” he said.
On the Korban Risda 2022 programme, he said 12 cows were sacrificed in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha, involving the participation of 87 Risda staff, and the meat were distributed to asnaf families, orphanages, and tahfiz schools.
He said Risda management also allocated RM13,000 to be distributed to selected asnaf families in 13 states.
Risda was established on January 1, 1973, under the Rural Development Ministry to play various roles in empowering rubber smallholders in the country. – Bernama, July 12, 2022
