A JOINT effort involving all parties is needed to achieve the goal of ensuring fully locally produced livestock feed, said Supardi Bai, who pioneered the cultivation of ketum ayam (madre de agua) as animal feed.

To achieve this, he said, agencies and higher learning institutions cannot work in silos.

He said a special agency must be formed to lead various studies and experiments on improving locally made animal feed. 

“They may be doctors or experts, but we are not experts in everything… If we can unite these institutions and agencies, we can share the duties and responsibilities so each of us has a responsibility, and can set our goals. Our goal is 100% animal feed made locally. (If) we work individually, I don’t think it will succeed,” he said.

Supardi, 55, said this when met by The Malaysian Insight at his two-acre (0.8ha) ketum ayam farm in Terachi, Negri Sembilan, recently.

The engineering graduate from Okayama University, Japan, said based on his observations, agencies and universities are conducting their own studies in achieving food security.

He gave an example of his study with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to form a livestock bran formula using ketum ayam as the basic ingredient.

“Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and many other universities are doing research (on ketum ayam), but I see this being done individually. If we work individually, it is difficult,” he said, suggesting that the study be done according to the area of expertise of each university.

He said, for example, UPM can focus on nutrition because it has expertise in the field, while UTM can facilitate the process because it specialises in engineering. 

He added that a special agency can also be formed to lead the process so the target can be achieved.

“If the old practice continues, it will be difficult to resolve the issue of food security, and this will cost the country,” said Supardi, who goes by Pak Tam.

“Over time, it’s going to be seasonal – the issue will be highlighted then it will die down again and then we close the book. When another (issue) arises, it becomes an exciting new thing, then it goes quiet again.

“That is a loss to the country and we, the people, will lose, too, while the price of chicken continues to be rise. There should be a lead agency that can manage it,” said Supardi.

With teamwork, every problem that comes up will be solved together as any action to address the country’s food crisis will involve huge efforts, he added.

“Without teamwork, people think it’s a dead end. I produce on a small scale, it’s okay for me, but when it comes to a large scale, there must be a big team.”

Supardi conducted a study on the suitability of ketum ayam to replace bran as the main food source for livestock due to the increased cost of basic materials.

The study found that the crop is suitable for use as livestock feed and can reduce the cost of bran as well as government subsidies.

According to him, the high-protein plants are easy to grow, can be harvested many times, reduce the foul smell of livestock dung, and control the reproduction of flies.

Supardi also grows grain corn and uses it as a basic ingredient for animal feed along with ketum ayam.

He advocates that efforts be focused on problem-solving measures by obtaining team-based input.

“Growing chicken corn or this grain is easy. There is no need for expensive corn, or whether it can be planted or not, or whether pigs eat it – the important thing is that we do it.

“The concept is incorrect. We think of the problem but do not think of a solution. It is the problem that hinders our thinking,” he said.

“If pigs eat (the crops), make a fence. If there is another way we can think, that’s why teamwork is important. Everyone gives input and ideas, then we can move forward, that’s the Japanese way.”

Supardi believes that if the research process is successful, the costs of poultry can be reduced, thus reducing the government’s burden of channelling subsidies. 

“Subsidies are a short-term solution. This month, the government has money for the subsidy. Next month, we need to eat again, so how long can it last? I think the government will not be able to withstand this over time,” he said. – June 21, 2022.