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The Star

Sunday August 23, 2009

Swift fortunes await

By CHIN MUI YOON

The swiftlet that creates those much-in-demand edible nests are indigenous to this part of the world. We even have a long history of collecting the nests for consumption dating back to the last century. So why aren’t we doing as well as our neighbours in making money from this natural resource?

FORTUNES can be made harvesting the bounty of the earth or sea. But if you farm birds’ nests, your fortune lies in the skies.

Dr Christopher Lim with a load of freshly harvested birds’ nests that can fetch up to RM4,000, unprocessed. – Photos by ART CHEN / The Star

Every evening, such farmers all over the country eagerly turn their eyes upwards, hoping to see swiftlets entering the “caves” that are their farms, which are actually converted shoplots or custom-built bungalows.

The saliva produced by these swiftlets – of the species Aerodramus fuciphagus – to form their nests is considered one of the five elite foods highly prized by the Chinese; the others are abalone, fish maw, ginseng, and shark’s fin. All of these foods fetch lucrative prices.

In fact, while the price of gold and other commodities has fluctuated throughout the last century, the price of edible birds’ nests has simply grown steadily higher. From US$10 a kilo in 1975, prices soared to US$400 in 1995. In 2002, a kilo cost US$1,600 (RM5,600) and today, the nests can go for up to US$2,700 (RM9,450) a kilo!

The industry in Malaysia alone commands RM1bil annually, according to the 2007 Malaysian Swiftlet Farming Industry Report by Hameed Sultan Merican, former chairman of the agricultural and agro-based businesses sub-committee of the SMI Association of Penang.

The report notes that a kilogramme of top quality, unprocessed nests (which works out to about 90 to 120 nests) fetched between RM4,500 and RM6,000 in 2006. After processing, retail prices went as high as RM15,000 to RM25,000 per kilo.

It helps that China, the largest market for edible birds’ nests, cannot produce its own supply, as these non-migratory birds reside only in South-East Asia. Breeding them doesn’t work, as it results in genetic mutations.

Indonesia commands the lion’s share of the market at 70%, followed by Thailand at 20% with Malaysia trailing in at 6%.

The Malaysian Government has noted this promising market. Both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, have encouraged entrepreneurs to venture into this industry.

Chairman of the Malaysian Federation of Associations of Birds Nests Merchants Datuk Beh Heng Seong says Malaysia has the potential to increase its current production level three to five times.

“Studies show that Indonesia is saturated,” he said at an interview last week. “Malaysia still has the capacity to grow.

“Prices fell by nearly half in November last year due to negative economic sentiments, but there’s still a strong demand in China. Whether they have ever consumed a bird’s nest or not, all Chinese know the words ‘birds’ nest’!”

Nests with baby swiftlets in them should be left alone so a new generation of birds will return to the farm to nest again. – Reuters

Universiti Putra Malaysia Assoc Prof (of the Nephrology Department) Dr Christopher Lim, 36, agrees. The kidney specialist became fascinated with swiftlet farming when he came across mention of it at an agricultural exhibition in Johor Baru in 2004.

“Malaysia can easily raise its market share, as we are located right in the middle of the swiftlets’ breeding grounds,” he says.

Dr Lim is now a noted swiftlet authority, author of the popular Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide (Publisher: TrueWealth Sdn Bhd, ISBN: 9833364721), and presenter of well-attended seminars on the subject.

The doctor belongs to a new breed of farmer that enthusiastically advocates a more professional development of this industry led by farmers equipped with the correct knowledge and ethical practices.

“Swiftlet farming is perfectly legal after you’ve obtained permits from local councils and have attended a Veterinary Services Department course,” explains Dr Lim.

Farmers must also adhere to the department’s Good Animal Husbandry Practices Guide. Other rules apply, like using only non-residential areas and not using heritage buildings.

“A swiftlet landlord can generate RM10,000 to RM20,000 from a standard 20x70-foot (6m x 20m) shoplot by harvesting 2kg to 4kg of birds’ nests monthly!” says Dr Lim.

“But I would only encouage swiftlet farming if you’re hands-on and armed with the correct knowledge because the failure rate is 70% to 80%!”

A potential gold mine

The high risk of failure hasn’t deterred more people from venturing into the industry of late. Gone are the days when swiftlet farmers were retirees with free time. Many in today’s industry are educated professionals seeking an alternative or additional source of income.

A sign of this industry’s growing popularity here is the fact that Dr Lim’s monthly seminars, which he bases on research and observation, are always fully booked. Participants come from throughout Malaysia as well as from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand, all hoping to unlock the secrets of swiftlet farming.

We attend one seminar where we meet a young IT engineer called Kent Ho who has flown in all the way from California.

“Swiftlet farming is a young but promising industry in my homeland of Vietnam,” he says. “I hope to start a farm in Danang, a coastal town south of Hanoi that has potential. It was hard getting solid information on starting out so I’m grateful for this seminar.”

Another participant is Malaysian Dr Mahmood Kechik, an urologist who is building a five-storey “bird bungalow” in his hometown of Kelantan.

“I’ve been monitoring the growth of swiftlet farming for four years and I’m convinced there’s potential. Previously, only royalty could enjoy this delicacy. Nowadays, every Chinese can consume birds’ nests, so there is a huge demand,” he says, adding with a laugh that, “studies show that birds’ nests can benefit pregnant mothers and are also an aphrodisiac!”

Dr Lim, perched on a ladder, using a paint scraper to gently lift up the edges of the nest until he can pluck it off the beam.

Manjung, a small town in Perak, has experienced an exponential boom in swiftlet farming; so much so that the world’s first custom-built accommodation for swiftlets was put up last year.

“We sold all 36 units, some even before we launched the project,” says Loke Yeu Loong, managing director of the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park, which was jointly developed by the Perak State Development Corp and Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn Bhd.

The 7m x 22m (25x75 foot) units, built into a three-storey structure, are priced at RM398,000 each; also available are 18 units of 18m x 32m (60x105 foot) three-storey, semi-detached houses costing RM678,000 each.

“We have identified new sites throughout Malaysia; one each in Pahang, Negri Sembilan, and Selangor; two in Johor; and three in Terengganu. We had thought of venturing into Thailand and Vietnam, but Malaysia will keep us busy for five years!”

Consumer concerns

Despite the viability of swiftlet farming, the industry is clouded in controversy in Malaysia. This is largely due to bad practices by ignorant and irresponsible farmers, and a prevailing idea that consuming birds’ nests is cruel and unhygienic.

Magazine editor Susie Chong, 34, recalls that she was ticked off by an irate reader after writing that she maintains good health and skin by eating birds’ nests.

“This lady angrily asked me, ‘How can you be so cruel as to eat birds’ nests? Where are the poor baby birds going to stay?’,” Chong says.

This is where ethical practices play their part, says Dr Lim.

It is actually in the farmer’s interest to not disturb a nest with young in it; swiflets, like turtles, have a habit of returning to the same place they were born in to breed. By ensuring baby birds grow up safely and leave the nest, a farmer can encourage several generations of the birds to nest in his farm.

What of hygiene concerns? As the birds do not defecate in the nests, and that their food source is insects, this really shouldn’t be a worry, says the doctor. Besides, to eat the nests, one has to double boil them.

Some people also have environmental concerns, as the swiflets are a protected species.

However, Dr Lim adds that farmers are actually doing their bit to preserve the birds by offering alternative breeding grounds to those in the wild that are slowly being eroded by development.

But some are unethical, he admits: “Some farmers wanting to get rich quickly harvest the nest before the eggs are laid, in hopes that the poor mother bird will create a new one. This is silly and risky not to mention being unethical to a creature that is enriching you.”

The doctor has created his own principles for bird nest farming, which he teaches to all his seminar participants: I will not harvest nests that have eggs inside; I will not harvest nests with young birds inside; and I will not cause any form of physical or psychological harm to the birds.

Another common complaint is the noise caused by the artificial chirping relayed through speakers to attract birds to nest.

“I always enjoyed returning to my hometown, Tanjung Sepat (Selangor), for its sea breeze and good food,” says engineer Martin Khoo, 40. “Lately, though, I was horrified to find that many of the upper floors of the shoplots in town, and even some houses, have been converted into swiftlet hotels!

“The chirping goes on incessantly even in the middle of the night. And it’s very unpleasant to tuck into bah-kut-teh while birds fly endlessly above your head,” he says crossly.

Loke of the Perak Swiftlet Eco Park points out that his company believes in housing bird farms on the outskirts of town to help lessen such complaints.

Lack of guidelines

Of course, it would help if there are guidelines to ensure that farms are sited where they won’t be a nuisance.

Even if there were, though, they would be difficult to enforce because no one knows exactly how many farms exist. Different sources give figures ranging from 25,000 to 40,000.

Many are unlicensed, poorly designed, and located incorrectly in residential areas or in heritage buildings.

Though it’s not surprising so many farms are unlicensed; Loke, from Perak’s eco park, points out that there are too many government departments, agencies, and local councils involved.

Beh, of the association of birds’ nests merchants, says there is a clear need for comprehensive guidelines applicable in every state in Malaysia. For instance, a yearly business license in Ipoh is RM120 while in Rompin, Pahang, it costs RM1,200.

Another problem that constrains this industry is that swiftlets are a protected species and, technically, their nests cannot be exported without a license. So most farmers sell their nests to middlemen and cannot reap the full profits.

Even tourists who buy nests legally from retailers cannot take them out of the country – some have had nests confiscated at airports. They must apply for permits from Perhilitan, which can take up to four days to process. And they cost RM200, with an additional export duty of RM100 per kilo.

“It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? Why would tourists want to go through that hassle?” points out Beh. “How can we encourage the purchase of Malaysian-made products when we have rulings like this?

“Surely it’s about time new regulations are made to accommodate this industry’s potential in modern times?”

Many people are also afraid that swiftlet farms will cause or spread bird flu.

But Dr Lim is quick to jump to the defence of his favourite birds: “No health official anywhere in the world has ever found a single strain of avian flu virus among swiftlets.”

He adds that, “Studies have shown that places that have swiftlet farms have reported fewer incidences of dengue fever. A well-run farm has no mosquitoes, as swiftlets consume insects.

“Swiftlets are very clean creatures. They are non-migratory and do not share food or water with other animals. They drink water droplets from the air (hence their penchant for nesting in humid caves) and feed on flying insects.

“I hope more professionals will speak up for swiftlet farming to add credibility to this industry.Knowledge and responsible farming will go far to ensure greater success in this industry.”

The Star

Sunday August 23, 2009

Are they really healthy?

WHILE the consumption of birds’ nests has riled some and is misunderstood by others, the Chinese swear by the health properties of these nests created by swiftlets.

A gelatinous bowl of double-boiled birds’ nests is believed to slow ageing, improve the complexion, cure coughs, and even improve your sex drive!

Are birds’ nests really healthy or are they merely a status symbol prized by the Chinese – all the way since the Tang Dynasty (618CE-907CE), by the way.

“Extracts of birds’ nests were found to have a direct stimulating effect on cell renewing and regeneration. They may also slow down the ageing process,” says Dr Christopher Lim, kidney specialist, Universiti Putra Malaysia associate professor, and swiftlet farmer.

In Chinese traditional medicine, bird’s nest is recommended for a dry, heaty, chronic cough with blood stained phlegm. – File photo courtesy of Eu Yan Sang

Research conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has discovered that the soluble glycol protein and amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, praline, theonine, and valine) in the saliva the swiftlets use to construct their nests could strengthen the human immune system and promote good skin.

One of the major components of the carbohydrates found in the saliva is sialic acid. It has been found that exogenous (originating outside the body) sources of sialic acid may contribute to neurological and intellectual advantages in infants.

The birds’ saliva also contains glucosamine, a substance that reportedly protects joints from degenerating.

Researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan have discovered that extracts from edible bird nests contain anti-flu properties.

Elderly people believe that cave nests are better as it takes up to three hours to double boil them while nests farmed in houses or other manmade structures take only 30 minutes. Dr Lim has a different view, though.

“If the proteins take three hours of double boiling to break down, they might not be easily digested in the human body,” he says. “Furthermore, cave nests have a higher sodium and mineral content, which may be unsuitable for those with high blood pressure, kidney stones, or thalassemia.

“Birds’ nests are one of the most nutritious organic foods available and are absolutely halal,” he adds.

■ Some information sourced from ‘Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide’ by Dr Christopher Lim.

The Star

Sunday August 23, 2009

Home sweet home

By CHIN MUI YOON

OUT of 24 species of swiftlets in the world, only five are commonly sighted in Malaysia; of those, it is Aerodramus fuciphagus that produces the prized white nests. The other varieties do produce edible nests but they are often filled with impurities and don’t command as high a price.

Sarawak’s Niah Caves used to have the largest concentration of swiftlets. But over-harvesting has resulted in a drastic drop of nests, from a recorded 1.7 million in 1935 to a mere 65,000 in 2002, and even fewer today, according to swiftlet farming enthusiast, Dr Christopher Lim.

Since the 1980s, wild swiftlets have turned to manmade structures like abandoned buildings to house their young, as their natural habitat is lost to development – the earliest farmers became successful by default.

Then, Indonesia’s forest fires and the subsequent haze during the 1990s drove millions of swiftlets to Malaysia, and coastal towns like Sitiawan and Teluk Intan in Perak boomed with swiftlet farms and, today, have the largest concentration, averaging over 1,000 farms each.

This unusual bird farm in Nibong Tebal, Penang, used to be a cinema. Those pipes sticking out are for ventilation. – Reuters

In 1996, after a visit to Indonesia organised under the auspices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, Malaysia’s Wildlife and National Parks Department (or Perhilitan) concluded that commercial farming would be the best way to increase the dwindling number of swiftlets in Malaysia. From fewer than 50 farms in 1997, today there are thousands.

The way to attract these birds is to provide an environment that closely resembles the swiftlets’ natural habitat, which are traditionally caves. The right humidity and temperature are vital for the bird to feel at home; and if humidity is insufficient, nests won’t be able to cling to the walls.

Another vital factor is the appropriate sound system. Long range speakers must be positioned correctly and must sound the right chirps to attract birds from the surrounding area, and then another set of tweeters must get them to nest in the farm.

“The longer you keep the bird in the farm the higher the chances that it will build a nest,” explains Dr Lim. “You need the right external sounds to attract them into the area and soothing, internal sounds to draw them in.

“The sounds only need to be projected from 7am to 7pm – birds do not hear them at night.”

“You need to do everything right the first time, hence the importance of understanding how a farm works. The most successful farm is operated by you personally, not a consultant. And don’t be greedy; you only need to attract one bird a day! And you do not need multiple farms, as just one successful farm can enrich you for life.”

■ Information sourced from ‘Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide’ by Dr Christopher Lim.

Sunday August 23, 2009

Farming nests

EARLY one Sunday, Kuala Lumpur-based Dr Christopher Lim sets off on his monthly visit to his swiftlet farm in Ipoh, and we tag along.

The farm is in a shoplot but has been carefully designed to avoid disturbing neighbouring shops and prevent theft. Entrances for the birds are so well concealed that passers-by have no idea a swiftlet farm is located on the uppermost floor.

Passerbys would never realise there’s a swiftlet farm on the upper floors of this shoplot as it has been so neatly and responsibly designed.

The cacophony of chirping is deafening as we make our way through the dark interior. It’s so humid, we’re all instantly drenched in sweat. But the many swiftlets who call this their urban home find it comfortable enough to make nests, lay eggs, and raise their young.

Dr Lim checks the amount of faeces on the ground, which is a rough indicator of the number of birds that visited. And feathers are happy signs of mating rituals, he explains. He looks up at the many wooden beams neatly attached to the ceiling and smiles, for affixed to the beams are several white nests.

Faeces on the floor is an indication of the number of swiftlets in residence.

He clambers up a ladder and checks a nest to make sure there are no baby birds or eggs present (if there are, the nest is left alone). Then, using a paint scraper, he gently scrapes at its edges until he can pluck it off the beam.

We stare at the whitish nest with lots of tiny grey feathers sticking out. This tiny, hardened cup of bird saliva will fetch RM55 on the market or double that after processing (drying, cleaning, and removing the feathers manually).

“There are several grades of bird nests. A perfect concave, or cup-shaped, nest in a pleasing shape is Grade A,” says Dr Lim.

Persekutuaan Persatuan Pedagang Sarang Burung Malaysia (PPPSBM) & JPV @ News
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Sarang burung sumber ekonomi baru

sarang burung yang telah diproses mempunyai nilai yang tinggi dipasaran.

HARGA sarang burung yang siap diproses kini boleh mencecah RM15,000 hingga RM25,000 sekilogram di China. Perkembangan terbaru itu semestinya mendorong penternak burung layang-layang di Wilayah Ekonomi Pantai Timur (ECER) untuk melihat sumber pendapatan yang lebih tinggi memandangkan lebih banyak pusat penternakan kini dibuka di wilayah itu.

Kelantan merupakan pusat penternakan burung layang-layang kedua terbesar di negara ini selepas Perak yang menghasilkan sarang burung bernilai tinggi serta menjadi idaman ramai iaitu hidangan yang mahal dihasilkan daripada ekstrak air liur burung layang-layang.

Sehingga Jun 2004, terdapat 300 sarang burung layang-layang di negeri itu terutama di Kota Bahru, Tumpat dan Rantau Panjang.

Kawasan lain termasuk dalam kawasan ECER adalah di Pasir Mas di Kelantan; Kampong Air Papan di Mersing; Kuala Besut, Kuala Terengganu; Tok Soboh, Kampung Pinang di Terengganu; dan juga Rompin serta Pekan di Pahang.

Malaysia kini merupakan pengeluar sarang burung yang boleh dimakan dengan nilai pembekalan kasar sebanyak tujuh peratus, selepas Indonesia (60 peratus) dan Thailand (20 peratus).

Sehingga akhir tahun 2006, terdapat hampir 36,000 burung layang-layang di seluruh negara dengan purata kadar pertumbuhan sebanyak 35 peratus setahun sepanjang tempoh lima tahun lepas.

Jumlah nilai pengambilan keseluruhan sarang burung yang boleh dimakan di seluruh dunia pada tahun 2006 dianggarkan RM8 bilion hingga RM12 bilion.

Hong Kong merupakan negara pembeli sarang burung terbesar iaitu sebanyak 50 peratus manakala China (lapan peratus), Taiwan (empat peratus) dan Macau (tiga peratus) dengan jumlah pengambilan kira-kira 160 tan pada tahun 2006.

Sekilogram sarang burung berwarna putih yang boleh dimakan belum diproses dijual pada harga RM4,500 hingga RM6,000 pada tahun 2006. Harganya berganda lebih tinggi di China dan Hong Kong.

Lonjakan

Industri penternakan burung layang-layang di Malaysia telah menyaksikan lantunan serta lonjakan pertumbuhan untuk tempoh lapan tahun sebelum ini.

Ladang-ladang ternak kebanyakannya dibina di bandar-bandar kecil di mana sumber makanan melimpah dan tahap pencemaran masih rendah.

Kerajaan Perak misalnya, menawarkan 10 kawasan berpotensi untuk peladangan burung layang-layang, manakala Johor mencadangkan sebuah taman eko burung layang-layang di Endau dan Desaru.

Kerajaan Negeri Sembilan juga menunjukkan minat yang sama untuk membina sebuah taman eko bagi tujuan tersebut.

Bank Pertanian Malaysia atau kini dikenali sebagai AgroBank menawarkan pembiayaan sehingga 85 peratus berikutan perusahaan sarang burung kini menjadi sebahagian daripada industri berasaskan tani.

Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia pula telah mengiktiraf enam buah syarikat pengusahaan sarang burung bagi menjalankan usahasama perniagaan dengan gerakan koperasi di seluruh Malaysia di bawah program pemadanan perniagaan (business matching).

Namun begitu, perunding dan pakar reka bentuk rumah burung layang-layang, Abdul Aziz Mohd. Rejab dari GEM Sdn. Bhd., memaklumkan buat masa ini hanya 20 peratus daripada keperluan dunia dapat dipenuhi.

Bagi memenuhi keperluan pasaran, GEM Sdn. Bhd. bekerjasama dengan beberapa kementerian dan agensi kerajaan termasuk Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi (MeCD), Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM), Jabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan (JPH), Gagasan Badan Ekonomi Melayu (Gabem) dan Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang (LPP) menganjurkan seminar dan kursus kepada para usahawan yang berminat.

Lumayan

Penternak burung layang-layang mendapat pendapatan lumayan dengan menjual sarang burung yang boleh dimakan, menguruskan ladang-ladang ternakan burung layang-layang dengan berjaya atau menyediakan khidmat perundingan mengenai penternakan burung layang-layang.

Pengarah Urusan Nespure Birdnest Sdn. Bhd, Ng Ching Phock berkata, penternakan burung layang-layang telah menjadi industri baru untuk membangkitkan ekonomi negeri Kelantan selain menawarkan peluang pekerjaan kepada penduduk di situ.

Dengan memiliki ladang serta pusat jualan sendiri iaitu di Kota Bharu, Nespure Birdsnest memasarkan produk sarang burungnya di rangkaian kedainya serta menjualnya kepada pihak ketiga.

“Sarang-sarang burung hasil keluaran tempatan adalah antara yang terbaik di dunia dari segi kualiti dan mendapat permintaan daripada pasaran antarabangsa sama ada yang mentah atau pun yang siap diproses,’’ kata Ching Phock.

Katanya, di Nespure Birdsnest, pekerja-pekerja digaji untuk memungut, membersih dan memproses sarang-sarang burung berkualiti dengan menggunakan kaedah tradisional.’

Syarikat itu juga merupakan yang pertama membuka pusat jualan di Pantai Timur dengan memasarkan produk sarang burung layang-layang laut termasuk puding longan dan puding sarang burung; dan juga soya dengan sarang burung.

“Sarang burung layang-layang laut adalah berkualiti. Ia dipasarkan di luar negara dan dieksport ke beberapa negara di Asia Barat,’’ tambahnya.

Menurut Dr. Christopher Lim, yang merupakan salah seorang pengendali ladang ternakan burung layang-layang paling berjaya di Malaysia dan turut memegang rekod pencapaian ‘pertumbuhan kedua terpantas dalam pengeluaran sarang burung yang boleh dimakan’ di negara ini, ladang yang berjaya mesti mampu menghasilkan satu sarang burung yang boleh dimakan bagi setiap kaki persegi setiap empat bulan sekali.

Dr. Lim yang juga pakar buah pinggang serta ketua Unit Nefrologi dan pensyarah kanan perubatan di Universiti Putra Malaysia telah melibatkan diri dalam penternakan burung layang-layang sejak Jun 2005.

Beliau berkata, sebuah rumah kedai dua tingkat dengan keluasan 20 kaki dan 70 kaki serta ruang binaan 2,800 kaki persegi sepatutnya berkeupayaan menghasilkan 2,800 sarang burung setiap empat bulan.

“Ini menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan pengeluaran sebanyak 8,400 sarang burung yang boleh dimakan setahun dan menjangkakan harga jualan sebanyak RM4,500 sekilogram, maka pulangan pelaburan adakah sebanyak RM342,000 setahun.

“Populasi burung layang-layang begitu menggalakkan sehingga ruang untuk menghasilkan sarang burung menjadi sesak kebiasaannya untuk tempoh lima hingga tujuh tahun.

“Apabila keadaan ini terjadi, burung layang-layang sedia ada tidak akan berhijrah, tetapi anak-anak burung layang-layang yang menetas di pusat penternakan itu terpaksa mencari tempat kediaman baru. Inilah masanya untuk sesebuah pusat penternakan itu diperbesarkan atau ditambah keluasannya.’’

Bio Research Centre (M) Sdn. Bhd yang lebih dikenali sebagai BRC iaitu salah sebuah pusat penternakan burung layang-layang terbesar di Perak turut menjelajah ke Mersing, Kota Baru dan juga di Kuantan serta Kuala Rompin di Pahang.

Pengarah Urusan BRC, Loke Teu Loong berkata, sejak pengeluaran secara komersial sarang burung yang boleh dimakan mula berkembang pada tahun 1998, semakin banyak ahli perniagaan dan usahawan industri kecil sederhana, tuan tanah serta para pelabur mula menyedari potensi kewangan hasil industri penternakan burung-burung layang di Malaysia.

“Ladang-ladang burung layang-layang mestilah terletak di jajaran terbang burung layang-layang iaitu dari tengah hutan simpan, kawasan paya bakau, ladang-ladang, sungai dan laut. Ini membentuk suasana yang sempurna untuk burung layang-layang,’’ kata Teu Loong.

80 peratus gagal

Ketiga-tiga pengusaha ladang ternak burung layang-layang itu bersetuju bahawa semua orang boleh menceburi bidang tersebut walaupun 80 peratus daripada mereka tidak berjaya.

Ini disebabkan, mereka tidak memiliki pengetahuan mengenai tingkah laku burung layang-layang, menternak di lokasi yang tidak betul atau reka bentuk ladang yang tidak sempurna.

“Berbanding 20 tahun lalu, burung layang-layang di Malaysia sekarang ini mempunyai banyak pilihan.

“Jika mereka tidak terbang dan mendiami ladang anda, terdapat 25,000 ladang lain menunggu, kerana itu seseorang pengusaha tidak boleh melakukan sebarang kesilapan,’’ tegas Dr. Lim.

Pada 2004, industri penternakan burung layang-layang di Malaysia telah diiktiraf oleh Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan sebagai penyumbang kepada tukaran mata wang asing bagi negara ini.

Sehubungan dengan itu, pihak kementerian telah mewujudkan satu Garis Panduan Penternakan Burung Layang-Layang untuk semua pihak berkuasa tempatan di peringkat daerah, majlis tempatan dan majlis bandar raya di seluruh negara.

Sebagai tambahan, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Haiwan juga mempunyai garis panduan untuk penternakan burung layang-layang.

Sarang burung dipercayai kaya dengan kalsium, zat besi, potassium dan magnesium yang amat berguna kepada kesihatan.

Sarang-sarang burung dibina semasa musim mengawan dengan burung layang-layang jantan mengeluarkan jaluran air liur untuk tempoh 35 hari.

Bentuknya ketika itu seakan-akan cawan mungkum yang melekat pada siling atau dinding.

Friday September 4, 2009

Swiftlet farming will boost economy

THE Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) appreciates the concern highlighted in “It’s time to ban farming of swiftlets” (The Star, Aug 28).

Edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is currently protected under the Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76]. It is widely distri­bu­ted in the South-East Asian region and commonly mistaken for swallows.

The swiftlet is slightly smaller in size and is free flying, perching only at its nest and nowhere else.

This is one of the species which is known to have commercial value throughout the world. Due to that, many venture into this industry and bird-houses have mushroomed throughout peninsular Malaysia, especially in the urban areas.

In order to lure the swiftlets into the house, the bird-house operator will set up speakers playing bird sounds outside and inside the house.

Currently the DWNP, together with related agencies and with cooperation from Bird Nest Associa­tion, is revising the guidelines on time usage to play the audio.

A sampling conducted by a related agency shows that the swiftlet is not a carrier of the bird flu disease.

The bird-houses are regularly cleaned as the swiftlets prefer a clean environment. Bird-house operators also practise systematic harvesting of bird nests, done only when the fledglings have left the nest to fend for themselves.

Currently, the DWNP is conducting research under the 9th Malaysia Plan for the sustainable management and conservation on the species. The results will help the DWNP in conserving this species, and at the same time benefit Malaysians and the country’s economy.

DR AMERJIT SINGH,

For Secretary-General,

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry,

Putrajaya.