Latest news with #Mardi
L'Orient-Le Jour
16 hours ago
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
In Paris, Mardi café blends influences from around the world, from Lebanon to Sweden
On a Tuesday morning, Adi Salet — the French adaptation of his 'real' name, Hadi Saleh — welcomed L'Orient-Le Jour together with his partner and business associate, Margaux Salgado, their 15-month-old daughter, Edmée, and their dog Bento, a white Bedlington terrier. The four of them make up the beautiful portrait of a stylish, young and trendy was bustling in the café, with customers sipping their drinks under the sun during an unusual summer. 'It's calm,' said Salet. 'It's nothing compared to the weekend.'Margaux and Adi opened Mardi, a 'combination of their two first names,' in 2021. Adi previously worked in digital marketing for a French media outlet. Margaux was an art gallery manager. But the project was on the couple's minds for a long time. During COVID, they matured the idea and took the leap. 'We love to...
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt probes release of 2,000kg of invasive African catfish into Maeps lake
KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya is conducting a technical investigation and closely monitoring the location where 2,000 kilogrammes of invasive African catfish were released into the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps) Lake in Serdang. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry takes the unauthorised release of the fish, done without the consent of the Department of Fisheries, seriously. "These acts can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem, threaten local species, and have long-term impacts on the country's fishery resources," he said in a written parliamentary reply last night. To prevent the spread of the non-native fish, nets have been installed at the lake's outlet to stop juvenile fish from entering surrounding water systems. The government is also opening fishing activities to the public to gradually reduce the remaining invasive fish population. It is also carrying out awareness campaigns to educate programme participants against releasing alien fish back into the lake and to encourage responsible disposal, with collection bins placed to collect African catfish caught during the fishing and disposal programme in a controlled manner. Mohamad was responding to Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (PN-Kuala Pilah), who questioned the minister on the actions taken against the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) for allegedly releasing the invasive species into the lake. The fish had been released in conjunction with a fishing competition organised by Mardi for the Showtech 2025 programme. The minister added that the government was in the midst of amending the Land Fisheries (Water and Aquaculture) Rules with the state authorities to prevent similar incidents. The amendments include approval procedures, a list of prohibited species, enforcement powers and penalties for violations, aimed at strengthening rules and controlling the release of alien species into public waters. He also said that the Fisheries Department is collaborating with non-governmental organisations like Skuad Pemburu Ikan Asing (SPIA) to carry out regular control and monitoring of invasive species by volunteers.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
More R&D to produce local fruits year-round
KLANG: Thailand and Japan have been used as reference points in research and development (R&D) for seasonal fruits to achieve year-round production. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu ( pic ) said the effort, undertaken by the Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), is in line with the campaign to promote local fruits and vegetables. 'We are carrying out R&D to produce new seeds and so on. 'The Mardi durian, for example, was produced recently in Kuala Kangsar. 'Delicious (and) high quality,' he said when launching the National Campaign to Eat More Local Fruits and Vegetables at the four-day Fama Fest 2025@ Selangor here yesterday. Mohamad said the ministry is very serious about boosting the popularity of local fruits among Malaysians. As part of the effort, he said the government decided that local fruits must be served at official functions as a show of support for local farmers. 'During my visit to Thailand as Defence Minister (May 2018 to February 2020), I was served cuisine made with local fruits and vegetables throughout my time there. 'The same goes for Japan – almost 100% local,' he said, Bernama reported. Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the fest, which featured 50 local entrepreneurs and drew more than 40,000 visitors, recorded a sales value of over RM800,000. Since its launch in 2017, the Fama Fest has been a catalyst for the economic growth of agri-entrepreneurs, he said. Last year's event saw the participation of 949 entrepreneurs and attracted more than 492,000 visitors nationwide, generating RM8.8mil in sales. This year, the target is RM5.3mil in sales with 265,000 visitors and the involvement of 383 entrepreneurs across six locations.
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Katjang: Tiny, but tough
Possibly pure Katjang goats, which are almost extinct, seen at Kamal's farm. — Bernama photo IN a wooden paddock sitting at the edge of a sun-beaten field in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, livestock farmer Kamaruzaman Budin walks slowly toward five goats huddled nervously in the corner of their new pen. With black, brown or mixed coats, of which three are short-eared and lean, their diminutive size is striking compared to the goats in the neighbouring pens, some of which are taller than the railings. Kamaruzaman, 67, better known as 'Kamal', points to a brown goat with a black line along its spine. Then he points to another, then another. 'Ha, this is 'Kacang',' he tells Bernama. 'One, two, three 'Kacang'.' Kamal has just acquired these five goats from another farmer. The seller claims all five are pure-bred 'Katjang', or 'Kacang' as it is known colloquially ('kacang' means peanut in Bahasa Malaysia). The Katjang (Capri aegagrus hircus) is the only goat breed native to Malaysia. However, Kamal has already noticed that two of the five have non-Katjang traits with their long droopy ears. The rest look like they may be pure-breds, but he is not sure until the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) scientists, who have been seeking and buying Katjang goats all over Malaysia, can verify their lineage via DNA testing. Nevertheless, Kamal considers himself lucky to have gotten them as Katjang goats are becoming rare. 'The Katjang isn't big. And when it's not big, people aren't interested in raising it. 'They prefer imported breeds because they are big and their meat ratio is good,' he observes. 'But the good thing about the Katjang is that it is resilient and resistant to diseases.' Kamal considers himself lucky to have gotten Katjang goats, as they are becoming rare. — Bernama photo That resilience, long taken for granted, has become a matter of national concern. After decades of uncontrolled cross-breeding with imported breeds, the Katjang is facing extinction via genetic dilution. As Malaysia struggles with food insecurity, climate change and increasing food import costs, the resilience of the Katjang may hold the key to the solution. Scientists are racing to conserve the Katjang by employing traditional and new methods using DNA technology. 'Hardy species' Long before Malaysia imported refrigerated meats and had industrial farms, the Katjang goat was a familiar sight in villages. Farmers would let them forage along roadsides and in the fields and forests. Hardy and not fussy about what it eats or where it sleeps, the animal has undergone many generations to evolve and develop a tolerance for Malaysia's heat and humidity, and against the parasites and diseases that are endemic in the country. 'The Katjang is, you know, it's here for a reason. It's indigenous for a reason. It's the best here,' says Dr Ainu Husna MS Suhaimi, principal research officer of advanced and reproductive technologies at Mardi. 'Now in Malaysia, we are realising that our local animals are still the most sustainable.' The Katjang's physical traits are distinct. Other than their small size, they have sleek black and/or dark brown coats, short and tapered upright ears, and straight and tapered upright horns. Adult males typically weigh under 30kg, far less than the imported Boer or Jamnapari goats, which can reach twice that size. Although the Katjang breed is very fertile, with twin births, its milk production is only enough for the kids. It is slower to grow to full size, and is not very meaty. Because of these perceived disadvantages, the Katjang was gradually sidelined. Kamal remembers when he first established his farm in 1985, he only raised Katjang goats. Then slowly the focus shifted to goats with higher meat yield and from 2004 onwards, Boer goats with their impressive build and meat production were imported from South Africa and Australia. However, this stock had an oft-fatal flaw – it could not deal with Malaysia's climate, resulting in a 20 per cent mortality rate, according to Mardi. 'If you talk to farmers (now), what they want is survivability. 'So local (breed) is the most survivable and adaptable so we know there is a demand for (local breeds), but the local breeds are still small,' says Dr Ainu Husna. To offset this, the government at the time encouraged farmers to cross-breed with the resilient Katjang. At first, cross-breeding seemed like a win. Hybrids grew faster and bigger, and fetched higher prices. But the lack of a proper breeding programme caused the Katjang gene pool to become diluted over time. Any pure Katjang goats that remained were used again and again, causing inbreeding and resulting in smaller and unhealthy goats. Following a survey conducted by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) from 2001 to 2002, the Katjang was classified as being at risk of extinction, and the United Nations (UN)'s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) listed its status as 'unknown'. Other local breeds of livestock are also facing extinction, including the 'KK' (Kedah-Kelantan) cow, while one breed may be extinct. Mardi believes that the indigenous 'Malin' sheep (Ovis aries) is extinct as a breed. Over two decades later, the Katjang's current numbers are unknown. Mardi has a herd of about 100 Katjang goats at its farm in Kluang, Johor, and its researchers are always on the search for more. 'Small goat, big role' At first glance, saving the Katjang might seem odd as it is a livestock breed, reared to be eaten. After all, if one breed of goat is extinct, can't Malaysia just get other goats from elsewhere? Livestock experts say it is not that simple. Although the goat industry is small in Malaysia, there is a consistent market for it, especially among Muslims and Hindus. Muslims sacrifice goats and distribute the meat, called mutton in Malaysia, during religious events like 'qurban' during Hari Raya Aidiladha (haj season) and 'aqiqah', which is to celebrate births; while Hindus, who refrain from eating beef, consume mutton as their red meat. In 2023, the consumption of mutton, which includes goat and sheep meat, had increased to 1.4kg per capita from 1kg in 2022, while Malaysia's self-sufficiency rate of the meat was 8.7 per cent, a drop from 10.7 per cent recorded in the previous year. Malaysia spent RM8.5 million importing live goats and RM18.62 million on live sheep in 2023, and RM772.4 million on fresh, frozen and processed mutton. Market analysts predict goat meat will become more popular in the next decade as more people will seek it for its leanness and other nutritional benefits. Depending on imports to meet food demand leaves Malaysia vulnerable to any shocks to the supply chain, as the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and recently, the India-Pakistan tensions showed. Meanwhile, local goat production is hampered by expensive feed, veterinary costs and a high mortality rate. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) ecological geneticist Dr Shairah Abdul Razak tells Bernama that the Malaysian livestock industry has been too focused on profits and higher meat yield, without considering issues like the impact of climate change on livestock. 'If we bring, like, sheep that have lots of meat from temperate countries, can they withstand (the heat)? 'Do you want to provide, you know, coolant for them the whole time you put them in the barn, for example?' she says. 'In terms of nutrients, one of the important things about local breeds is that they are not very (choosy).' Dr Shairah highlights some points during the Bernama interview. — Bernama photo Researchers fear the Katjang will go the way of the Malin sheep, characterised by its light brown coarse wool, which they believe has been cross-bred to extinction. However, Dr Shairah thinks there may be a few pure-bred Malin sheep somewhere in Perak and Pahang. '(Saving local breeds of livestock) is a form of – I like to use the word insurance; you know, you might not see it (benefits) right now, but you have to think for the long term. 'We want the resilience and the sustainability for the long term.' DVS researcher and geneticist Dr Ernie Muneerah Mohd Adnan agrees. 'The Katjang goat may not match imported breeds in terms of size or meat production, but in the context of climate change, its adaptability to these changes could become critical for the future of Malaysia's livestock industry,' she writes in an email to Bernama. The FAO reported that as at March 2018, 594 local agricultural breeds out of the 7,745 local breeds listed were extinct, while 26 per cent were considered 'at risk of extinction' and 67 per cent as having 'unknown' status. Should they disappear, so will the genetic traits needed to adapt to new environmental and economic realities. 'Malaysianised goat' The core of the Katjang rescue mission lies in a growing effort to locate and collect the DNA of pure Katjang goats. The project combines old-fashioned legwork and husbandry with modern reproductive methods and genetic science. Dr Ainu Husna's team has been fanning out across rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia, visiting livestock farms and Orang Asli villages. When they spot an animal that looks promising, which is rare, they usually purchase the animals for their farm in Johor, collect samples and sequence their genome for desirable genetic markers. Those with the desired traits will be used for selective breeding with other breeds, in the hopes of producing bigger and meatier, but also heat-tolerant and disease-resistant Katjang hybrids. Under the Katjang rescue mission, Dr Ainu Husna's team has been fanning out across the rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia, visiting livestock farms and Orang Asli villages Dr Ainu Husna. — Bernama photo 'We decided we need to have something in the middle,' she says. 'Now, we are developing our pure Katjang-Boer mix or Malaysianised Boer. (For that) we need pure Katjang.' The selective cross-breeding programme utilises natural and artificial fertilisation methods, using semen or eggs stored in liquid nitrogen. In general, Dr Ainu Husna says Mardi prefers to use natural breeding as it tends to be more successful, with an 80 per cent success rate. But if that is not possible, then researchers will use artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilisation. The DVS also has a biobank of Katjang sperm samples. Having a ready supply of pure Katjang is necessary to refresh the genetic makeup of the Malaysianised Boer after several generations. It is an expensive and time-consuming process, but one that could safeguard the breed and the country's long-term food security. 'We might not see the challenge now, but as time goes by, the future might bring something that we are not prepared for if we don't have this,' says Dr Shairah, who is a senior lecturer at UKM. 'Lack of awareness' Despite the urgency, the Katjang conservation project faces daunting barriers. Researchers tell Bernama they have trouble getting funding or cooperation for conservation efforts because people, including farmers, do not understand the importance of saving local livestock breeds too, not just wildlife. Without financial incentives or market demand for pure Katjang, most smallholders will not choose a smaller, slower-growing goat over a meatier import. 'Farmers often find it more profitable to raise imported or cross-bred goats rather than pure-bred Katjang goats,' says Dr Ernie Muneerah. A few have floated the idea of subsidising farmers to not cross-breed their Katjang and keeping a registry of farmers with pure Katjang, which they can exchange for breeding. All parties want to fix the disconnect between scientists and farmers, and encourage farmers to use available resources such as Mardi and DVS to breed their livestock. Meanwhile, under the glare of the late afternoon sun in Rembau, Kamal pours a bucket of feed into a blue trough. The goats shuffle over, nudging each other gently. He watches them for a moment, thoughtful. They may be tiny, but these goats are tough, he says. 'When it comes to changes, whether climate or something else, I think the Katjang goat will definitely survive.' — Bernama
The Sun
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MIER: Lower RON95 price will ease cost of living and support economy
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move to lower the price of RON95 will help ease living costs and support the economy, said Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi. He said the government is addressing one of the public's most pressing concerns – transport and fuel costs. 'The government's consideration will be, like anything else, they will look at what are the biggest needs of the people today. In a way, they're doing it right ... and looking at this,' he told reporters at Brown Bag Talk titled 'A Journey Through the Looking Glass: Towards Future-Proofing Malaysia's Food Security today. Effendi said the government will try to give as much as they can afford without affecting the national budget overall. 'I think it's always a balance of government. I think they're doing their best. Honestly, at least they have a good intention.' Former MIER chairman Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob also welcomed the move, saying it would provide relief for many Malaysians. 'This will help many by reducing transportation costs. Real income will improve, and this is good for the general public.' When asked whether the fuel price reduction might affect the national budget, Sulaiman said the impact should be assessed holistically. 'Whether it's a cost or a benefit, if the outcome is positive for the economy, then it's ultimately good for the budget as well.' Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday that the price of RON95 petrol will be reduced to RM1.99 per litre for eligible motorists from RM2.05 per litre currently while fuel subsidies are rationalised. Anwar said it will benefit around 18 million motorists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers. The prime minister added that full details of the RON95 subsidy mechanism would be announced by the end of September. 'When the RON95 subsidy rationalisation takes effect, Malaysians will enjoy a lower fuel price of RM1.99 per litre,' said Anwar. On a separate matter, Effendi said Malaysia must reassess its growth priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan based on current global trends. 'I think agriculture and food security will be a priority,' he said. The sector, he added, has been on the national agenda since the 1970s, but now needs to be re-prioritised as a key national focus. 'It's time to turn this into a real national agenda. It's a major opportunity for Malaysia.' Effendi said beyond addressing food deficits and import bills, Malaysia has the potential to become a global food producer – similar to its success in palm oil and rubber – by leveraging its expertise, institutions such as Mardi, and modern agricultural technologies. 'If we've done it with palm oil and rubber, we can do it with food production. But we need a strong, comprehensive modern agriculture plan,' he added.
