Bernama - Wednesday, November 3
KUCHING, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Sarawak recorded exports worth RM26.81 million for its swiftlet birdnest from 2008 till October 15 this year, the state''s Assistant Minister of Planning and Resource Management, Naroden Majais said today.
He said the swiftlet birdnest industry offers a lucrative income when the market price for the birdnest is around the region of RM3,000 to RM10,000 per kg, depending on the quality and grade.
Based on the Sarawak Forest Department, he said the production of birdnest had gone up in the state from 2,094.6 kg in 2008 to 2,853.5 kg last year. As at October 15 this year, production stood at 1,757.3 kg.
"Based on the estimated local market price for swiftlet birdnest at RM4,000 per kg, the value of Sarawak''s export of the birdnest was at RM8.37 million in 2008, RM11.41 million in 2009 and RM7.03 million as of October 15 this year," he said in his reply to a question from Abu Seman Jahwie (BN-Jemoreng) at the Sarawak State Assembly meeting here today.
Birdnest, believed to be highly nutritious for good health and for retaining "youthful looks" as well as good blood circulation, enjoys high demand in China and Singapore.
Naroden said the state government received 1,111 applications for license to breed swiftlets for birdnest from 2008 till October this year.
Breeders are required to get two types of licenses issued by the Sarawak Forest Department for the commercial breeding of swiftlets, firstly a license to build, and maintain a building or structure for the breeding of the birds and secondly a license to breed the birds.
From 2008 till October this year, 248 licenses have been issued by the government for the building of the breeding structures and two licenses for breeding the birds.
The remaining are still under the process of assessment and inspection, Naroden said in reply to a supplementary question from Julaihi Narawi (BN-Sebuyau).
Naroden said warning notices had been also issued to owners of premises who had illegaly set up buildings for breeding swiftlets.
He said the Sarawak Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation monitor the building of houses for swiflet breeding from time to time.
From last year till March this year, the departments had carried out two inspections throughout the state on the breeding of swiftlets for birdnest in houses in the state.
"From the inspection, 418 houses such houses had been identified and currently being investigated," he said in reply to another question from Wan Abdul Wahap Wan Sanusi (BN-Sadong Jaya).
Naroden also called on the producers of swiftlet birdnest to make legitimate applications. He said several dialogues and briefings on the matter had been also held for those keen on the business.
He said the operators should also make proper study of the areas they choose to ensure their suitability for swiftlets breeding activity.--BERNAMA
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The original article is from here.
