THERE is an urgent need to address the shortage of manpower in the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said DVS Sarawak requires a total of 728 personnel to function efficiently and effectively.
He revealed that presently the department only has 307 posts compared to DVS Sabah which has a manpower strength of 750 in various categories.
“A request has been submitted to the State Human Resource Development and Management Unit to create and fill 421 additional posts to support and regulate the livestock industry and veterinary public health,” he said.
He said this in his ministerial winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on today (May 23).
Referring to a recent working visit to Indonesia, Dr Rundi said the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture has expressed willingness to collaborate in providing technical expertise and technology transfer particularly in good animal husbandry practices, embryo transfer and artificial insemination know-how.
He also said the Cipelang Livestock Embryo Centre in Bogor has expressed commitment to provide the opportunity for DVS Sarawak officers to undergo training on the latest cattle breeding technology.
“In advancing our talent development in the field of veterinary, my recent visit to Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University, Indonesia has also successfully obtained their strong commitment to accommodate Sarawak students to pursue their studies in the field of veterinary at the university.
“This opportunity augurs well for the livestock industry development in Sarawak in view of the shortage of a veterinarian workforce in the state as well as the limited seats provided by local universities in the veterinary field,” he said.
He added that the proposed collaboration includes joint research and development activities with IPB University.
