He said palm kernel cake, a by-product in the milling of palm kernel oil, has been used by the dairy industry in New Zealand to step up production of milk by cattle.

"Palm kernel cake can be obtained at low cost in our country. Why don't we use a local product and upgrade the potential in our country?

"If Mardi (the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) were to undertake research with partners here, we may be able to produce a suitable fodder that can enhance milk production," he told Bernama after a visit to the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) here on Tuesday.

Muhyiddin is on a weeklong visit to New Zealand, among other things to look at the developments and technology in the agricultural industry particularly pertaining to the dairy sector.

At a briefing, LIC Director Bryan Guy said New Zealand had long implemented the practice of mixing palm kernel cake with fodder to boost milk production in cattle.

However, he said, further research has to be undertaken to determine whether palm kernel cake could produce similar yield for livestock in tropical countries such as Malaysia.

Muhyiddin said some cattle breeders were using palm kernel cake as an ingredient in the fodder of their livestock but further research has to be undertaken to determine the extent of the benefit to be derived in terms of milk and meat production.

In this connection, he said, Malaysia should seek the collaboration of experts in New Zealand such as LIC or others in the dairy sector to exchange expertise and technology in the sector.

Source: Bernama.com