A MYANMAR Livestock Federation said last week that he hopes to send the first shipment of goats to Malaysia before the end of 2007-08 fiscal year in March.
“The quarantine zone at Thilawa in Than Lyin is finished and the equipment needed to test the animals has already arrived from Malaysia.

“Given these developments we are hoping that the first shipment will be shipped out before the end of March,” said U Win Sein, the federation’s vice chairman.

He said the number of animals demanded by the Malaysia side is “huge” but did not give an exact figure.

“I’ve advised all of our members across the country to increase the number of goats, sheep and cows they are breeding in order to increase our exports to Malaysia,” he said.

He added that the federation and government officials are planning to offer advice to farmers on how best to maximise their operations. U Win Sein said the Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank is also issuing loans to farmers to aid the development of the industry.

According to the figure from federation, about K314.4 million is being loaned to goat farmers in Magway, Sagaing and Mandalay divisions.