AFTER gaining 20 years of experience as a poultry farmer, Lee Soon Seng has decided to venture into dairy farming now.
Lee, 65, said it was his dream to be a dairy farmer and he would like to explore the dairy industry.
“I have a three-acre land which I plan to house about 100 dairy cows. I have also grown Napier grass to be used as fodder for the cows.
“I have also set up a milk collection centre to store milk,” Lee told Buletin Mutiara at his farm in Balik Pulau today.
Penang Health, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin said she was delighted to know that Lee has set up a milk collection centre.
“I believe that this is the first milk collection centre in Penang. The dairy farmers in Penang sell fresh milk and they do not have milk collection centres to store their milk.
“During the movement control order (MCO) period, the dairy farmers in Penang had to discard about one-tonne of milk per day,” she said.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state could explore agrotourism in Penang.
“I believe this can be one of the tourism products for our state. Agrotourism is popular in New Zealand and other parts of the world where visitors enjoy, relax and spend time visiting agricultural areas such as farms or ranches,” Yeoh said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said many sectors or industries were affected by Covid-19 pandemic.
“We understand that many entrepreneurs and businessmen had to find ways to deal with the crisis,” he said adding that the Penang government continuously lent its support to ease the people’s burden.
Chow said he was happy to witness the determination shown by Lee, who had chosen to explore a different industry.
“We welcome any effort to ensure that the people have sufficient food supply.
“The state assemblyman and the state executive councillor will be liaising with Lee to help him with the support he needs,” Chow said.
Also present were Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and special coordinator Gooi Seong Kin.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng