Kuala Rompin: The large-scale closed-house broiler chicken farm complex established by FELCRA Berhad in Tanjung Seratus, Kuala Rompin is expected to enhance domestic poultry production and contribute to national food security. Deputy Prime Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said such initiatives would create new economic opportunities, improve the livelihoods of local communities and strengthen Malaysia's food security agenda.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the MADANI government remains committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, adding that increasing local food production is key to reducing import dependency. The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted FELCRA's history of significant achievements in palm oil, rubber, and padi plantations aimed at bridging the urban-rural economic gap. This new venture into poultry farming is anticipated to produce around 1.5 million broiler chickens annually, which will help stabilize the chicken supply in the country.
He made these comments at a press conference after officiating the complex, with Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, state government leaders, and FELCRA chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub also in attendance. The 20.23-hectare facility, which became fully operational this month, includes 10 closed-system poultry barns, each capable of accommodating 30,000 chickens per cycle, ensuring a steady production of 1.5 million chickens annually.
This mega project was developed with an RM60 million grant under Rolling Plan 1 of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP). Ahmad Zahid also announced FELCRA's plans to expand similar closed-house broiler chicken farming projects in Bagan Datuk, Perak, and Sungai Damak in Lipis.
Ahmad Zahid stressed that ensuring food security requires a 'whole-of-nation' approach involving close collaboration between the government, private sector, and individuals. Moving forward, the government will develop specific food security indicators, strengthen the aquaculture industry, and expand the national ruminant sector.
Besides food security, Ahmad Zahid indicated that entrepreneurship development and the halal industry will be among the priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). He noted that there are over 10 agencies under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), working with 16 other ministries to boost entrepreneurship. The government is also prioritizing halal product manufacturing and is collaborating with state governments, particularly Pahang and Perak, to develop halal industrial zones.