The demand for mutton in this country has increased from 9160 t in 1993 to 15 570 t in 2003. Unfortunately, the production is far short of demand, with self-sufficiency of only 7% in 1993 and 8.4% in 2003. Imports to make up the deficit were valued at close to RM 90 million in 2003. Most of the goats in this country are left to scavenge for themselves. To satisfy the demand, organized and economical goat rearing needs be developed. With the shortage of land for grazing and considering its competitive nature vis-à-vis other uses, the only practical option is to use the land under oil palm. In its Keratong Station, MPOB is investigating rearing Boer goats for meat under oil palm. The study has revealed that goat rearing under oil palm is practical and economical. The goats can be fenced in an oil palm block with an electric fence or enclosed in a paddock. The overall performance of the breed was good, indicating their good adaptation to the environment under oil palm. The kidding rate and kids survival rate were 2.7 kids doe-1 and 70%, respectively. Therefore, rearing meat goats under oil palm is highly recommended for oil palm plantations and smallholders.

Main Research: Dr. Kamil Azmi Tohiran