Now, alot of oil Palm estate, rubber estate and what have you have at least a BH in it....why, because it like buying "a duck that lay golden eggs" duckling and hope that it will grow up and lay golden eggs.....it will, it will if you nurture it well.

Oyes!!!!! Beware Horn Bill, they kill and eat swiftlets and they will destroy your BH if your BH isn't dark enough.............I wouldn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes...........Horn Bill jumping into BH thru entrance and out only after 15 mins and with swiftlets in their beaks. Once out of the BH, they still be able to catch swiftlets no because they can out fly swiftlets but because swiftlets be nature, tend to dive toward predators to chase the predators away and God, hundreds of swiftlets dive and the horn bills only need to open, move and snap their hugh bills...snap, snap snap and they catch the swiftlets and with a few jerks, the swiftlet is dead and down goes the swiftlet into the stomach of the horn bill.

Anyone know how to prevent this killings or what can chase the horn bill away without killing the horn bills as they are also protected species.

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Added on June 13, 2009, 9:08 pmIt's OK, just like share market, there are speculators and there are investors. BH investment is like the share market, you can do just like it and Like me, I did once changing portfolio, selling one sucessful BH to buy into 4 new BHs.....I called that diversified and . Maybe, one day we may use phases like cut losses which I hope we may never need to use it..... I have friends who are just buy successful BHs as in this way, they will be assured of getting back their investment within 5 years with small risk....and there are people like me who like to run for the money....big money; buy new or unsuccessful ones to turn them into gold if possible....small investment, big profits but bigger risk.

Your friend is smart and if he has invested too much than he can afford, his BH may long ago be Along's BH. But he make not much, he should have make more, like 5X his investment, hahaha

This post has been edited by West Wing: Jun 13 2009, 09:08 PM

Continued(Environmental Friendly)
c) Bird Chipping sound. With the right volume, the swiftlet chirping sound can be smoothing to the soul. Many a times I have stand alone esp. in the evening @ 7.15pm ++ watching the swiftlet coming back, it is joyous sound. In many places, listening to bird chirping is a pleasure & hobby!. We swiftlet farmers are providing this wonderful swiftlet chirping sound free of charge! However, unfortunately there are ignorant & inconsiderate swiftlet farmers who spoilt this by blasting the sound like in the DISCO hoping to attract more birds. Actually it don't work that way. If we all follow the Guidelines, which means that all speakers pointed 60 degree to the sky and within the allowed time period, this should not be a issue.

d) Insects.. The swiftlets are doing a good job eating insects such as mosquitos, flies etc which are pests. Swiftlet are keeping the ecology in balance i.e keeping the population of the insects in check which is good for the envrionment.

e) Swiftlet conservation; as swiftlets are semi-protected species, by providing safe and secure swiftlet shoplots, we are increasing the swiftlet population. This is conservation effort by all the swiftlet farmers.

f) Guano(Bird shits) : With proper treatment, this Guano can be easily be used as natural fertilisers or even fuels if the Government carry out proper research for a efficient method to process this Guano. As the swiftlet farming grow, there will be plenty of guano supply!

g) Eco-Tourism Industry: Properly designed Bird house Villages(with glass showhouse) in shoplots can be a major attraction for tourists all over the world. Imagine if we can allow tourists to visit and see 1st hand how Birdnests are made in the Birdhouse and allowed to pluck their own bird nest. After that they can also buy and drink Birdnest soup, birdnest cosmetics, birdnest supplements etc., I believe soon Malaysia will be a MAJOR TOURIST attraction. In this way we can show how man and animals can co exist in an environmentally friendly way. Also we SAVE the EARTH.

h) Clean Surroundings: When the eco tourism become a major industry, our local government will have to keep our shoplot surrounding clean i.e. clogged drains, uncollected rubbish on the road, vagabond dogs/cats, potholes etc need to be taken care.

i) Clean & well maintained building: All the shoplots need to be painted regularly so that our tourists can be impressed with our cleanliness.

To be continued!

BENKEL INDUSRI WALIT organised by the HAIWAN PUSAT at very last minute instruction from the PM OFFICE at THE ROYAL BINTANG RESORT & SPA, SERAMBAN, NEGERI SEMBILAN from 14.06.09 to 17.06.09 follow by a SIRIM WORKSHOP ON THE BIRD’S NEST INDUSTRY on 18.06.09



The objective of this Benkel is for the Haiwan to hold in-depth discussions with as much industry market players such as the farmers, the traders, the exporters and the manufacturers of the nest industry throughout Malaysia including East Malaysia. This discussion is to collect information, feed backs, suggestions and proposals from those involved. The officials participating in these discussions shall compile a very comprehensive report to be submitted to the PM by July 2009.


Due to too short a time, many Associations are not notified. Only a handful has been informed. It is expected the Haiwan officials will out-number the market players. Food and lodging is provided free upon reporting for registration, rightfully on 14.06.09 from 2.30pm to 6pm. For those who have been notified late and wish to take part to voice their opinions and suggestion, they can still do so as every day, the topic in the benkel is different. All is welcome.


On 14.06.09 -730pm to 830pm-dinner, 830pm-1030pm-kata aluan and perasmiam Benkel.

On 15.06.09 & 16.06.09 730am to 1100pm/12 mid night- very tight programme, crazy huh? But will be interesting.

On 17.06.09- only half day, bersurai after lunch.

On 18.06.09- SIRIM??????????????????Details not yet available.

Really crazy, crazy……………..but good try and well done from the HAIWAN. At least, this department is doing their best; hopefully it does help this industry.

I think the HAIWAN is making it into a Malaysian Guiness Record……………. I really admire their spirit……… They are all very nice and sincere people……….We should help them……….even if it is going to be karam-kabut………..


So, any one from here would like to join in ? Even part-time also no problem. Must give full support or at least show some support to the Haiwan official……. We already tried our best to get as many to go, but regret to say, too last minute and school just re-opened…..Understand 10 to 20 reps from Sabah and Sarawak are flying in……….What say you, Uncle Ben, West Wind, ChanK?????????? Not too late to join in, at least to say hello to old friends.

Understand DL is trying best to go too………

Evironmentally Friendly(Continued)
k) Scientific Reaseach: The classic book " Swiftlets of Borneo" written by Dr. Lim Chan Koon and Earl of Cranbrook must be the foundation of further scientific research to be carried out by Malaysian Government and Universities and even supported by Swiftlet farmers. Due to the huge potential of this Birdnest business, a concerted effort spearheaded by hte Government to make Malasyia the "hub" of Birdnest farming reseach which can focus on:
i) Swiftlets( Aerodramus fuciphagus) Ecology, Breeding biology, New habitat, Behavioral patterns etc
ii) Scientific research on the Swiftlet Farming techniques curretnly used in Bird houses to maximize the population of swiftlets and conducive environment for breeding and birdnest production.
iii) Birdnest Nutritional values: The goodness of birdnest to health is well know to the Chinese for thousands of years since the 1st Emperor of China. Extensive reseach must be conducted on the medicinal value of birdnest and how is the optimum way to consume.
iv) Reseach into the use of Birdnest on other products such as cosmetic, phamaceutical, medicines etc which can be sold worldwide.

2. Economical/Commercial/Financial/Business Reason:
a) The Birdnest business must be the most lucrative business after crude oil. With the current "unconducive environment i.e. No license, poor support from Government, Summons, Demolishing Bird house in Sarawak etc)" and limited techniques, the Malaysian Birdnest business has shot up to 1-2 Billions ringgit last year. This is based on Birdnest price of around RM3,000 per kg. Imagine with full Government support and massive private sector investment and proper coordination, this business could balloon to tens or hundred billions in the next few years!
b) Real EstateProperty Value: With the swiftlet farming in full swing, the value of abandoned shoplots can shot up in no time due to the commercial value of the Birdnest.

To be Continued!

Thanks for the infos and will be there unless something serious happen lah. Be seeing you all there

Geez, look like heaps of swiftlet Guano around us are doing more good than we can possibly tell now after reading up overwhelming positive responses on the matter. I certainly hope this Guano can be studied further for its benefits to the mankind so that swiftlet farmers will clean and collect them from their BHs more often to this end and thus keep their BHs tourist frlendly to show the world we can co-exist with these exlusive creatures.

On another note, if there are Associations SDN BHD in the jungle out there. I'm sure happy to see this is not Forum SDN BHD(Politically inclined or group of people with intention to monopolize the trade arose from the forum). Although I am sampahMAN, but there is no SAMPAH I pick up from here! So move on..

Just heard about Benkel Indusri Walet to-day and too late to make it to KL. However I hope Representative from Sarawak will demand for clearlifications if Same laws and regulations abdopted in West Malaysia applies to Sarawak and Sabah as well?

We are living in one country and should have one law and not one country with two different sets of law. Please Please raise this issue .

Wildlife Department core business is to protect endangered Species. Datuk Lord Carnbrook have identified these houseswiftlets which he named Fuciphagus Domesticus and regards them as domestic animals as in chickens and pigs.

With the millions and millions of FD in malaysia I don't think they will be extinc anytime soon. This valuable farm animals should be develope into a sustainable industry. Sarawak will be the epic center for swiftlets ranching.

We are all aware that our timber resources is a sun set industry. We have oil and gas ,palm oil and power supplies from Bakum ( in future ???). The spin off from these industries are negligible to the general population. Borneo being an Isolated Island is not compatative in manufacturing cause by high imported materials and logistic cost for export of our product and tax,tax,tax and tax...

It must be relised that swiftlets farming can potentially be as lucrative as palm oil anc can bring inmense benifit to the general populations especially people in the back water areas like Mukah, Daro, Matu, Kabong where there is no other ways to chari makan except subsistance farming and fishing. I see that BN farming is a means to bring them into the main stream of society and poverty.

Please speak up and demand for clearlification on licensing , Fees, Taxes ( by Goverment !!!! and not individuals wearing Govt. uniforms)

Kudos to Haiwan for organizing the Bengkel.

This world..

People come and people go...

Tough time does not last,

but tough people do...

when they believe in one thing

called HOPE.



This post has been edited by Engineer Lee: Jun 14 2009, 08:17 PM

BELOW IS THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR THE MESYUARAT..



More heads is better than few heads!!....Pls come n support..


Tiger Lee is heading the group for Rules n regulation discussion

David Lim is heading the group for import/export discussion

GEM is heading the group for Research n Development discussion

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Added on June 14, 2009, 9:15 pm




This post has been edited by ChanK: Jun 14 2009, 09:15 PM

???
Why DL report on import & export sekejap ada, sekejap tak ada?

Brother ChanK?
???

2. Economical/Commercial/Financial/Business Reason(Continued):

Before I continue with the discussion, let me clarify one point about "lack of Government support". The is one Government Department i.e. the Veterinary Dept which is very supportive of our Swiftlet ranching industry. In fact Veterinary Dept Officers conducted courses on Guidelines on Good practices of Swiftlet Ranching. There is one lady Veterinary Officer who is also a Doctor who has many times help us when we faced problems with the Majlis Daerah officers. We call her(name not convinient to mention) the "Angel of Swiftlet farming" Today, I am happy that the Vetarinary Dept is again spearheading this meeting in Ipoh and hope the best results come out. Also I am happy to note that YAB Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib also mentioned that "Birdnest Farming Industry will be the next "creative" thrust of the economy during the 2nd Stimulus speech.

c) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: The billions ringgit swiftlet farming and Birdnest industry is and will be providing thousand & thousand of well paid jobs for all Malaysian and foreigners. In this economic recession, this is one industry that will do well because there is NO COMPETITION!!!!! Also the Chinese(1.3 billion in China alone) and hopefully other races are dying to eat the delicious Birdnest soup. There is a huge DEMAND in the world for this Birdnest. Every time you drink 1 bowl of delicious Birdnest soup, you feel like an Emperor because in olden days, only Emperor drink Birdnest soup. Plenty of jobs will be created if the Government fully support and develop this Industry to the Maximum. Jobs created for people to take care of the Bird house, Jobs for producing the electronic DVD players, speakers, wiring, pumps,. Jobs created for construction works, civil works, carpentry works, metal works etc. Jobs created for Reseach peopele. Job created for Eco Tourism, Jobs created for newly created producing Phamceutical products from Birdnest, Cosmetic from Birdnest, etc.

c) Foreign Exchange: Imagine if this Swiftlet ranching and Birdnest industry is developed to the Max. billions and billions of foreign exchange currency like YUAN, US Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Sing dollars when we export our Birdnest. The Malaysian economy will be stronger and stronger and our Ringgit will be stronger & stronger. Bank Negara, please take note.

To be Contined!

must be server problem...



Below is a report written by David Lim and he will present this to the govt depts officers .....


Not only license is important but tax issue is a problem too, if we let this issue to grow its roots.....

one day, all farmers will have limited buyers to come to buy yr raw nests...and that means only few monopoly Legitimate Buyers who can only offer below below market price to buy yr nests.

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Added on June 15, 2009, 5:47 am

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Added on June 15, 2009, 5:48 am

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Added on June 15, 2009, 5:54 am

This post has been edited by ChanK: Jun 15 2009, 02:38 PM

Think we should leave Singapore, HK, Taiwan out of the letter as we are generations behind. Some party might take it emotional and get offended.

Better word it 'bagaimana hendak bersaing dengan negara-negara jiran seperti Thailand, Indo, Vietnam, Cambodia atau Myanmar '.

Thanks CK for being truthful. Sometimes people just like to hear all good things. Many who play stocks also mostly will only tell their success stories. Not easy to say I own so and so many fail farms compare to say I own one and only farm produce so and so many kgs. Till todate wonder any official survey showing the risk of the industry. Out of 100 invertors how many actually make money, breakeven or loss money. This might mislead the authorities to think since it is so easy to make money than you guys have made enough to move out. You can make the same anyway after move out of the town etc.

This is to also safeguard millions/billions unnecessary spending by bumi banks as if money can fall from sky before locality and detailed studies being done by the investors.

Anyway just my half cent.

KUDOS to all brothers/sisters now in Seremban. This simple little industry is at a crossroad , a very crucial one. Cool heads and calm nerves will always be called upon when facing such a situation. Like our fren, Eng. Lee said HOPE is what we believed in. Some of us may not be with u all in S'ban but morally n spiritually we are right behind u.

.

This post has been edited by ChanK: Jun 16 2009, 06:40 PM

On behalf of all farmers from my area, I extend our greatest gratitue to representatives of Associations, traders, manufacturers and exporter to take part in the workshop organized by Department of Haiwan.

Kudos to new member, birdfarm. your in-depth analysis on the Bird Nest industry is timely and has shed us some light on the direction where it is headed.

Last weekend I visited my friend's BH which has no nest after close to 6 months. I found out that there is no external sound? Then we checked the external Amp. He is using the exactly same model of BGB Amp as shown in the photo attached. I have seen the BGB Amp in the lowyat forum. Is is cheaper that Swallow Sound.

What happen is, the blue light at the Volumn node still there. The LED indicator at the thumb drive also light up. But the play LED (red) was not light up. It is not easy to find out the Amp is not working if you never pay close attention.

For those who use the same Amp, please share your experience. Thanks

http://yenyen-swiftlet-farming.blogspot.com/

Thanks Swift4ever for the compliment, this is a small contribution by swiftlet farmer like me who cannot travel to Seremban for the critical meeting currently held with the Veterinary Dept. Besides, the are so many other volunteers members at this Lowyat blog who has unselfishly share so much infomation.Hopely my regular writeup on " 1001 reasons why the Government and Malaysian public MUST fully support this swiftlet farming birdnest business" can inspire & convince the Government & Public to truly understand this as a viable, good business just like any other legitimate business. We are not illegal money lending Along, or Massage parlour with dealing with prostitutes. We as swiftlet farmer/merchants must be proud that we are pioneering a business which is legitimate, environmentally friendly and of course profitable. It is also a businees that has huge potential for all Malaysian irrespective of race, colour or creed! However, as mentioned by many friends here this is not a easy business as the failure rate is quite high. For some reasons either is due to poor location, wrong design, wrong technique, poor luck, the Bird house can easily fail! It need much effort to constantly monitor the Bird house to ensure tis success.

2. Economical/Commercial/Financial/Business Reason(Continued):

d) Opportunity to Own a profitable business: To own a profitable business with a relatively decent investment of average 300K(including the property price) for the rest of your life and can pass on to your children is not easy. For us to own say a "super market", factory or hotel or KFC franchise or petrol station is tough and requiring much more capital and great competition and also high failure rate esp. in this recession period. If you already own a "kosong" shoplot, then the investment is much less i.e. RM 40K++ for 1 storey 20feet by 70 feet. With the right techniques, right Con-Sultant and good location and some luck, we have have a successful BH which may yield RM 5-10 per month after a few years. This will continue to grow year after year and money will continue to flow into the pocket. Best part is you and your family can enjoy bowl & bowl of birdnest soup for free!. As long as nobody disturb this income will continue even you are gone! I hope the Government & Public can realise this so that they MUST support us to be successful so that next time they can also follow our foot step. In fact besides giving us the license, the Government should consider giving TAX free status and Subsidy for pioneering this business !!

To be continued!

Hi everybody i'm new in swiftlet farming, i find this site very interesting and useful.

Interesting finding.
That BGB in the picture is mine and I've yet to test it out in actual operational mode. Does your friend play the amp non stop or on relay timer with another backup amp ? I will be going to Pasar road again these few days to buy another unit and I plan to use 2 units of 6 channel BGB amp to play internal sound 24/7 at 3 hours alternately using a relay timer (Hager timer). Will share my experience here if BGB amp failed me.

This post has been edited by aeiou228: Jun 16 2009, 10:57 PM