KUCHING: The 18th Asian Australasian Animal Production Congress 2018 (AAAP) will be happening for the first time in the state on Aug 1 to 5 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the AAAP Congress 2018 was fully supported by the ministry as it has the potential to contribute significantly towards the animal production industry in the state through exchange of knowledge, ideas and discussion of current issues and solutions during the congress.
”Furthermore, Sarawak livestock farmers and the ASEAN representatives at this congress can learn from one another and share knowledge on the current technologies that are applied in their respective countries,” Rahman added.
He said the aim for the event is to explore the strategies for aiding the applications of modern technologies by smallholder and medium scale farmers to enhance the productivity of the livestock industry in the region and contribute to the demand for food security and safety.
“This is what we need to grow and improve our animal production and agriculture industry in line with the Chief Minister’s vision in transforming Sarawak’s agriculture sector so that we can become a top exporter of high quality produce and products.
“I believe with the discussion of important topics such as feed and food security, livestock and climate change, animal biotechnology, animal breeding, genetics and those directly and indirectly involved in animal production can get a better understanding on current challenges they can overcome and learn how to implement new advances and improvements from other ASEAN countries involved in this congress,” he pointed out.
He said one of the keynote speakers, Peter Thomson will talk about ’The digital future: The role of ‘big data’ for agricultural development in the region’.
“It talks about how relevant large-scale data on areas such as genomics, mapping and climate data, can be collected and analysed to be used to our advantage.
“Data collection and analysis such as this can actually help us to learn more and improve on areas such as rural farming and to better recognise the potential we have in our vast lands here in Sarawak,” he stressed.
Rahman said this congress is not only beneficial for businesses and those already working in the various animal production areas but can also help academicians and students to utilise this platform to increase their knowledge, which can potentially help them to become future pioneers of new technological breakthroughs in the animal production industry of Sarawak.
“With the Malaysian Society of Animal Production (MSAP) as the organiser, it will undoubtedly be a significant event that will benefit many people in many different fields in Sarawak,” he stated.
Meanwhile, MSAP Vice President, Prof Dr Loh Teck Chwen said the congress targeted an average of 1000 participants to attend the prestigious event.
“In fact, during the last congress in Fukuoka, Japan, around 1500 delegates attended, and this is one of the highest numbers we have recorded thus far.
“Because of this, we are highly confident that the event will be a success here in Kuching, and will benefit many local animal production businesses, scientists, technologists, farmers, academicians, students, those directly or indirectly involved as well as those who are keen to venture into and learn more about the animal production industry.
“On top of that, we also look forward to supporting the local tourism industry by introducing our foreign delegates to all that Sarawak has to offer -the beautiful sceneries, sounds, foods like the Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee, arts and handicraft, exotic protected animals in the national parks and exploring the natural surroundings of this tropical paradise,” he said.
