MASJID TANAH: The gradual increase in chicken prices since March has caused the demand for quails to increase.
Quail farmer, Rosnizam Md Noor, 46 had to double his efforts to produce 12,000 quails a month following soaring chicken prices over the past four months.
He said his current production rate far exceeded his previous production of between 7,000 to 8,000 birds a month before March.
Though quail production has reached 12,000 birds a month now, he still could not meet demands.
Rosnizam said since venturing into quail farming in 2006, he had only produced about 8,000 birds a month but following the increase in chicken prices from March onwards, wholesalers had asked him to double his production.
"I tried my best to meet the demands of wholesalers and individual customers, especially restaurant operators around Masjid Tanah, and increased production to 12,000 birds a month.
"However, wholesalers and customers are still asking me to increase production further. I cannot meet the demands because of the high cost involved," he said at his farm in Kampung Ayer Hitam Darat, here today.
Rosnizam ventured into quail farming after returning to his hometown in 2006 from Puchong, Selangor where he was working.
He said the price of quail feed at that time was only RM60 per sack of 50 kg.
However, from 2018 onwards the price of the animal feed increased gradually before it reached RM150 per sack of 50 kg now, he said.
In this regard, he urged the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (MAFI) and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to look into the price increase of animal feed as it burdened farmers.
Rosnizam said he receives his supply of birds once a week from producers in Pokok Sena, Kedah and only quails reaching the age of one month could be sold.
"A quail that can be marketed should weigh between 220 to 230 grams and is packaged accordingly between grades AA, A and B," he said.
For each package containing 10 grade AA quails, Rosnizam markets them at RM32, for grade A (RM30) and B (RM27).
He also explained that the quail breeding sector would not face a big problem provided the breeders ensure the birds were protected from the plague.
Rosnizam also urged for more people, especially youths, to venture into the quail breeding sector as it promises satisfactory returns.
Pix 1-4: Rosnizam has increased quail production to 12,000 birds a month since last March compared to 8,000 quails before that in Kampung Ayer Hitam Darat, Masjid Tanah due to the increase in chicken prices.
Pix 5: Rosnizam storing processed quail in the refrigerator before it is marketed in Kampung Ayer Hitam Darat, Masjid Tanah.
Pix 6-8: Package containing 10 grade AA quails marketed at RM32 while grade A is sold at RM30 and B at RM27.
