PUTRAJAYA, 11 November 2026 (The Capital Post) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is strengthening efforts to develop Malaysia’s ruminant livestock industry, with a focus on increasing domestic production and improving the country’s food security.
The ministry held the first 2026 advisory meeting of the National Ruminant Council (MRN) at Wisma Tani, Putrajaya, on Tuesday, chaired by KPKM Secretary-General Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.
The meeting served as a platform to review policy proposals, strategic directions and development programmes before they are submitted to the council for consideration.
The MRN was established following a Cabinet decision on 8 April 2026 to strengthen coordination in the development of the national ruminant industry.
According to KPKM, improving the country’s self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for ruminant livestock products remains a key priority.
Statistics for 2025 showed that Malaysia’s SSR stood at 18.4 per cent for beef and buffalo meat, 9.3 per cent for goat and sheep meat, and 81.8 per cent for fresh milk.
The meeting highlighted the need to increase domestic livestock production, address rising animal feed costs and strengthen supply availability. It also emphasised ensuring that government development projects and allocations deliver measurable benefits to livestock farmers.
Among the matters discussed were the achievements of the National Dairy Industry Development Strategic Plan 2021–2025 and the implementation of dairy projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
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Participants also reviewed proposals concerning the future direction of Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) slaughterhouses and the ruminant marketing plan developed by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).
These initiatives are intended to strengthen supply chains and improve market access for locally produced livestock products.
The meeting also examined the performance of the Birth Rate Incentive Project (PIKK), which recorded achievement rates of 60 per cent for large ruminants and 100 per cent for small ruminants.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the ministry will continue strengthening cooperation among government departments, agencies, research institutions and industry players to ensure coordinated and sustainable development of the ruminant sector.
The ministry said these efforts are expected to support higher domestic livestock production while contributing to Malaysia’s broader food security agenda. – The Capital Post
