Bird's nest: Finding the swift way to earn megabucks

New Straits Times 29 Mar 10;

Swiftlet breeding is a thriving business worth RM1.5 billion annually. The speed at which the industry has grown in the last few years poses a major dilemma for operators and the public due to the health risks, smell and noise. The government is now looking at giving the industry a much-needed framework to operate in a sustainable manner. CHUAH BEE KIM, ZAINUDDIN MUHAMMAD, M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN, PATRICK SENNYAH and ROY GOH report.

FROM caves at the Niah National Park and Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, swiftlet breeders have now taken their business into cities and towns nationwide.

Malaysia now has about 50,000 swiftlet premises producing more than 12 tonnes of bird's nest monthly. The current price of bird's nest is between RM3,000 and RM4,000 per kg, depending on the grade.

Operators are keeping their fingers crossed for government assistance to take the business to a higher level.

Those in Johor, for example, want the government's nod for export licences.

If this happens, they are geared up to put the country on the world map as the biggest exporter of bird's nest.

Those in Negri Sembilan want help in getting halal and Sirim certification as well as the internationally-recognised Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point certification for their products.

They are also hoping to get the government's assistance to set up a research and development facility to enhance the quality and variety of the products.

Datuk Saipolbahari Suib, adviser to Persatuan Pengusaha Industri Sarang Burung Kulai, is confident the industry can achieve the dream if they are given the opportunity to export their harvest.

"Currently, we are sending the bird's nests to Indonesia for processing as we do not have the plants here. If the government can set up processing plants in every district, we will be able to do everything locally and export the products."

Saipolbahari, who is also chairman of JB Bird Nest Resources Sdn Bhd, hopes the government will give a grant of RM400,000 for the setting up of processing centres in every district.

"I am optimistic that we can make it big in the global market as the quality of our nests is one of the best in the market."

In Johor alone, there are about 5,000 bird's nest traders.

Negri Sembilan Association of Bird's Nest Traders president Datuk Lee Yuen Fong says there are about 40,000 breeders nationwide, of which 95 per cent are operating without licences.

"The reason for this is that there is still plenty of red tape and we hope this problem will be ironed out soon."


He says because it is a multimillion-ringgit industry, there are many unscrupulous parties trying to cash in on it.

"Another issue plaguing the industry is smuggling."

Complaints against the swiftlet industry are numerous -- noise pollution is a common gripe of anyone living next to a "swiftlet hotel".

To lure the birds, which breed in colonies, recorded sounds of chirping females are played constantly on speakers.

Saipolbahari says responsible breeders follow the guidelines set by the
Veterinary Services Department, where only a sound level of 40 decibels is permitted.

"Errant traders who do not follow this guideline should have their licences revoked."

Another concern is bird flu. However, Saipolbahari says swiftlets are the cleanest birds around.

"Moreover, the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species had carried out research on swiftlets in 2005 and the birds are not the species that cause bird flu."

Saipolbahari says swiftlet breeding is a godsend to many, especially during the economic downturn, as buildings which have been abandoned or cannot be rented out are revived when swiftlet breeders come in.

Bird's nest: Sabah needs guidelines
New Straits Times 29 Mar 10;

SABAH may be one of the biggest natural producers of edible bird's nest but when it comes to farming the delicacy, it is in its infancy.

Fewer than 100 people are licensed to trade in the nests throughout the state.

State Wildlife Department director Laurentius Ambu believes the industry will grow as more research is carried out and expertise comes in.

"There are signs of swiftlet hotel operators improving their earnings and having better farming techniques to spur the industry to greater heights.

"(In Sabah), there are issues that need to be addressed," says Ambu, who has conducted research in bird's nest farming for nearly a decade.

At present, there are no regulations to guide and monitor bird's nest farming. On top of that, there are negative perceptions about the birds and the business, he adds.

In the state, there are three key natural cave systems where swiftlets thrive. They are the Gomantong, Baturong and Madai caves.

"Gomantong is a government-owned cave while Baturong and Madai are considered heritage caves where the bird's nest trade is operated by the community.

"The three caves produce up to 20 tonnes of bird's nests, about a third of which are the white nests while the rest are black nests," says Ambu.

There are no statistics on how much money it brings to the state but as far as Gomantong is concerned, the contract for harvesting bird's nest comes with a reserve price of about RM20 million.

Ambu explains that the contract is tendered out to licensed contractors twice a year and the highest bidder gets the harvesting rights.

"For Baturong and Madai caves, it is governed by native laws."

The only law that covers bird's nest in Sabah is the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, which provides that anyone in possession of bird's nest or selling it without a permit from the Wildlife Department can be fined. Also, in major towns here, bird's nest farming is not allowed because it is illegal to "run a farm in an urban area".

"The solution is for the government, the local authorities in particular, to determine certain zones where it can or cannot be done. With this and better technology, I am sure the industry can grow," Ambu adds.

Sabah Swiftlet House and Bird's Nest Industry Association president George Ng Aun Heng agrees.

"Certain areas, like housing estates, may not be suitable for swiftlet farming but what about abandoned buildings? It can also be done at oil palm plantations or other big areas.

"If the government can come up with guidelines, I am sure farmers are willing to comply because this is a lucrative trade which requires a substantial amount of capital.

"There are negative perceptions, probably spread by people who are envious of the success of others, and most of them are untrue."

Ng says there are ways to minimise the noise and the smell at farms.

"It's a matter of educating the public and those who want to venture into the trade but, at the same time, we need commitment from the government because at the end of the day, it's the state that will benefit."

For that, the association, formed six months ago and which now has about 40 members, is on a drive to teach people about proper bird's nest farming techniques, apart from lobbying the government to introduce proper guidelines.


Bird's nest: He's reaping the rewards after trial and error
New Straits Times 29 Mar 10;

FOR swiftlet farmer Abdul Rahman Yaacob, success did not come overnight.

It took him more than three years of extensive research and countless visits to swiftlet farms in and out of the country before he had enough courage to start his own farm in the Tepoh countryside in Terengganu almost two years ago.

The 50-year-old building contractor knew the capital outlay for the project would be sizeable and he also knew he could not expect swift returns from his investment.

The father of three says he has learnt that for every successful swiftlet farmer in the country, at least five have failed to cash in on the lucrative bird's nest industry.

"That is only a 20 per cent chance of success but I had a feeling that many had started the bird hotel business with little knowledge.

"I did not want to be like them," he says, before admitting that he also did not learn enough.

The first year was of constant trial and error as he often had to tinker with the design of his building to meet the needs of the birds.

"I now understand why most people call swiftlet farms bird hotels as just like in the hospitality business, the comfort of the guests is the most important thing.

"The birds prefer the temperature to be between 26oC and 28oC, regardless of day or night, rain or shine. Air-conditioning will not do as the air will not retain the right moisture level," he says.

In the beginning, he used to hide for hours to observe the birds' flying pattern when they entered the building, the length of their stay and the trouble they went through before deciding on a nesting spot.

He says finding the right bird calls was a lengthy process as different sounds would make the birds do different things.

"Once, I was delighted to stumble upon a bird sound on tape which brought about a lot of birds to my place but, for some reason, they just did not want to enter the building.

"After conducting research, I now know what sound to play when I want them to come or when I want them to stay and build their nests," says Rahman, adding that the sound of birds on loudspeakers should not be allowed in residential areas.

His farm is located on an isolated hill.

"Kuala Terengganu has turned into a swiftlet city as hundreds, if not thousands, of bird hotels can be found along Jalan Bandar, Jalan Tok Lam, Jalan Kampung Tiong, Jalan Pejabat and other main streets. Shophouses along those streets have been and are being converted into bird farms and that is not right as the noise alone can drive people crazy. And I am not talking about the bird droppings yet."

So far, he has invested more than RM300,000 in the business.

Bird's nest: Telling the real from the fake
New Straits Times 29 Mar 10;

NEGRI Sembilan Association of Bird's Nest Traders president Datuk Lee Yuen Fong says edible bird's nest is among the most expensive animal products in the world and has been used in traditional Chinese cooking for almost half a decade.

"The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary laminae cement and have high levels of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. The male swiftlet builds the nest, which is shaped like a shallow cup and is stuck to the walls of buildings and caves."

Lee says the nests are harvested thrice a year, with each harvest lasting up to three months.

He says swiftlets are monogamous birds and both partners take part in caring for the nestlings. The average lifespan of a swiftlet is between 15 and 18 years.

He says there is an increasing number of fake bird's nests making their way into the market. But anyone who is familiar with the product will be able to tell the difference.

"For one, swiftlets build their nests from their saliva, which is formed into strands. These strands can be detached into layers when soaked in plain water and, as a result, will be of different lengths and sizes. Fake ones will be perfect in size."

He also says the genuine bird's nest should be able to expand to double its size after being soaked and cooked.