IPOH: There are plans for 'kampung chicken' or native chicken feed brand Alma, developed by FGV Integrated Farming Sdn Bhd (FGVIF), to explore the Perak market by using the existing distribution network in an effort to reduce the dependency on imported poultry feed.
FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nazrul Izam Mansor said the move was through the cooperation of strategic partners such as Felda (Federal Land Development Authority), Felda Capital Cooperative (KPF) and Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas).
"FGVIF is actively expanding its distribution network to ensure that Alma products are easily available in the Perak market as well as the rest of the country.
"For the Perak market, the first step is to use the existing distribution network in the state before expanding the marketing with promotional programmes targetted at Felda and FGV settlers, and then to consumers outside," he said.
In an exclusive email interview with Bernama, Mohd Nazrul Izam said Alma would penetrate the existing market starting with the location closest to the kampung chicken feed processing factory located in Muar, Johor before entering Perak and other states.
He said his team had also prepared a delivery service at reasonable costs, especially for customers outside the Klang Valley, in addition to always ensuring that the supply from the factory was sufficient to cover the demand for the domestic and export markets.
Touching on the challenges identified in developing the Alma brand, Mohd Nazrul Izam said that FGVIF is still in the early stages of entering the chicken market where many players consist of "integrators".
"Currently, FGVIF is still not an ‘integrator’ and we are making efforts towards that direction," he said, adding that Alma always prioritised the production of high-quality products at reasonable prices.
On the initiative involving its strategic collaboration with Bernas, he said it uses by-products from rice which are then formulated by FGVIF in the production of native chicken feed and, thus, this collaboration can increase Alma's competitiveness in the market.
"As a leading company in Malaysia and internationally, one of our main objectives is to support the National Food Security Agenda. This is to ensure continuity of supply for the livestock feed market and stabilise the feed supply prices.
"In our efforts to support the national food security and National Agrofood Policy, we will continue to produce high-quality fodder by using local raw materials and gradually reduce our dependence on imported raw materials such as corn and soybean.
"With the Bernas and FGV collaboration, the sustainability of quality and affordable livestock feed can be achieved," he said.
On Aug 10, FGV through its subsidiary FGVIF launched the kampung chicken feed under the Alma brand as part of the group's efforts to contribute to the National Food Security and National Agrofood Policy agenda.
The production of kampung chicken feed, made from a new formulation using the by-products of local paddy and rice factories, had been developed jointly by FGV and Bernas.
Bernas group managing director Datuk Haris Fadzilah Hassan is reported to have said the initiative is expected to reduce production costs by 10 per cent by replacing imported corn grain components.
With the production of this nutritious native chicken fodder, the country will be able to reduce its reliance on imports of poultry fodder, further ensuring the availability of the product and selling it at a lower rate.
It has been reported that currently Malaysia produces about eight million chickens yearly and almost 10 per cent of it is exported to Singapore, while the rest is distributed in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.
The potential supply of livestock feed for this industry is expected to reach as much as 32,000 tonnes per year.- Bernama
