TRIPLE BENEFIT
A shortage of work, the skyrocketing expenses of chicken feed and sick, declining chickens – these are some of the challenges that will farmers are dealing with.
“How am I supposed to back more chickens? ” questioned Daing.
He relies on migrant workers, but with the pandemic, many had been sent back. Then in March, after the edges reopened, the Malaysian government announced the 25 per cent embrace the minimum income, which is now RM1, 500 (S$473).
With the salary raises, he cannot afford to bring in brand new foreign workers. One particular farmhand must control 12, 000 hens, instead of 10, 500 before the pandemic strike. He is now working 10 chicken homes instead of 15.
In every breeding period, about 5, 000 of his hens usually end up dead as well, which is a loss of almost RM7, 500.
Chickens may experience various health problems from bacteria for example E. coli, based on a farmer’s animals management. But some diseases are more dangerous, such as Newcastle disease, “and farmers themselves don’t know how it happens”, he said.