Bernama reported on 21st May 2008 that former Ustaz Zulkifli Yaacob, 44 is now a livestock entrepreneur in Pasir Mas, Kelantan earning RM50,000 per month.

He operates the “Sunnah Ternak” goat farm at Kampung Rong Chenok.

His 450 square feet [I'm not sure if this is a typo or not] farm is apparently the largest goat farm in Malaysia and has about 2,500 goats of various species. Not bad for a farm which started only 1 year ago with 500 animals.

He has 15 workers comprising farm hands, veterinarian, manager and accountant.

They all stay at the quarters located at the centre of the farm. They need to be at the farm round-the-clock to keep watch over the livestock.

Zulkifli said he started with an initial capital of RM1.5 million to set up the farm.

His motivation to start the farm: to turn Kelantan into the country’s major mutton producer.

The animals are kept in two huge enclosures built at the cost of RM900,000. Each hold over 1,000 goats.

Breeds at the farm include Jamnapari Anglo and Jamnapari Cross.

He also has some sheep from the Barbados: Pull Marino and Dambagarul breeds.

Zulkifli also practises the “pawah system”: sharing his livestock with others, particularly the unemployed graduates: allowing 5 pregnant nanny goats to be reared by an individual. After they given birth, they are taken them back but the individual is allowed to keep the kid goats as livestock. So far, 250 animals at his farm goats were bred under the pawah system.

He plans to increase the number of livestock to 20,000 over the next 5 years and to turn the farm into a safari-style tourist destination.

A course on commercial goat rearing would be held at the farm from June 2008: open to all. Fee: RM180 per person, room and board included. For unemployed graduates the fee is even cheaper: RM50. Interested? Call him at 019-9678787.

Source