GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will consider applications to set up small-scale corn plantations to produce an alternative source for chicken feed on Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the planting of corn on a large-scale was unsuitable for the state due to land scarcity.
He said, for now, only large-scale planting of paddy was carried out in Seberang Prai Utara (SPU).
"If there are applications to plant corn as an alternative source for chicken feed, the state authority will consider them.
"For now, most of the applications for TOL land, is for the planting of fruits. The concession for TOL land needs to be renewed annually, and as such, is is not suitable for long-term planting.
"The size of TOL land is about 10,000sq ft and there are smaller plots for individuals between 2,000 and 5,000sq ft which are often sought for agriculture purposes," he told newsmen here today after attending the Penang Development Corporation Hari Raya open house.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said recently that the cabinet received a number of suggestions from its members on the planting of corn as an alternative source for chicken feed.
He had said that the cabinet agreed to ask for the cooperation of state governments, government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) to prepare TOL land for the long-term.
The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, as well as the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had been asked to table these plans soon.
According to Chow, Penang encourages agriculture and livestock breeding activities.
"At present, Penang is among the states with high level of ability to be independent in livestock breeding, caged fishes and others.
"Seafood from this state is exported to other states and is one of the biggest contributors to our economic sector. In fact, paddy is also one of the highest contributors to the state's economy," he added.
On the shortage of chicken and other raw food material in the state, Chow said based on report from the Veterinary Services Department, there was ample supply of chicken and beef in the state.
"However, with the issue of lack of supply at the moment, the Veterinary Services Department is expected to monitor the yield from farms in the state.
"If the supply for the state is enough, then we encourage it to be exported to nearby states which are facing supply shortages," he said.
Chow said they had not received any reports on the acute shortage of food supply in Penang.