A : This is a good question, and the answer is absolutely yes! However, sad to say, the reality is that over 80% of failure rate is occurring even after 5 years of operation. Worse, the return of investment is not being realized but losing all the money.

A : There are several reasons such as :

1. Ignorant, adopt the wrong techniques for swiftlet farming
2. Lack of understanding and misconceptions about swiftlets and swiftlet farming
3. Selection of location for swiftlet farming
4. Design of swiftlet houses
5. “Copy-cat” or emulate the others
6. Cease operation due to actions taken by local authority’s

In order to illustrate in details, unless by publishing a book, otherwise, for the sake of time, let me further explain the reason number 5 above.

A : Those who have lack of understanding about swiftlet farming tend to duplicate other successful swiftlet houses, in order to cut short the learning curve. However, only emulate others, for example, if a certain area has more than 30 similar or fixed (indoor and outdoor) designs of swiftlet houses located in a 0.5-kilometre area, then, the chances of failure increase. Just think of what will be the customers’ reaction if there will be a 30th McDonald outlet is being established in the same 0.5-kilometre area, as that area already has 29 McDonald outlets already occupying and operating there.

A : He or she must think out of the “traditional”-box i.e. by having sufficient knowledge and understanding of the swiftlet industry, design capability, and good swiftlet ranching techniques. The ability to design and bring a high level of proximity between cave-condition environment and house environment, such as the influence of lights (lux), optimum sunlight exposure at the nesting areas, humidity and temperature, choosing the right external sound (to attract swiftlets to visit the farm) and internal sound (to encourage swiftlets to reside in the farm), arrangement of speakers, ventilation inside the farm, and the bravery and determination in facing all the difficulties head on. To date, swiftlets have lots of choices, if they do not stay at your farm, there are more than 25,000 swiftlet farms waiting and welcoming them. So, in order to be a successful swiftlet farming operator, each and every decision is very crucial.

Above questions are answered by
Assoc. Professor Dr. Christopher Lim
The author of “Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide”
Regarded by many local swiftlet experts as one of the most successful swiftlet farmers in Malaysia

A : Five years ago, the number is less than 1,000, to date it is nearly 50,000. In recent years, due to the high growth of the industry, efforts of swiftlet ranching, improvement of swiftlet farms’ environment such as humidity and temperature inside the houses and techniques to increase the quantity of swiftlets have contributed to the success and continuous development in the industry.

A : The renovation costs about Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 30,000, so, swiftlet farming is a high capital investment, and the yield or returns are lucrative. If the returns of investment is not rewarding or below expectation, then it is considered a failure of the swiftlet houses.

A : For a beginner, if the renovation is done for a double storey with less than 2,000 square feet , with renovation costs between RM25,000 and RM30,000, it does not guarantee a successful swiftlet farm/house, because the success of swiftlet ranching is the key factor. Without understanding of the swiftlet habitat, lack of modernized techniques and assistance of relevant equipment, it is very difficult to have a successful swiftlet ranching.

A : About 4 years ago, forest fire in Indonesia has created a great chance for Malaysia as the resultant haze in Indonesia has forced millions of swiftlet to seek new “homes” in Malaysia. Furthermore, swiftlet urbanization is getting more apparent with migration of swiftlets from their ancestral breeding grounds. Automated and technological equipment are essential to contribute to a successful venture, especially for new beginners, in lowering the risk of investment.

Above questions are answered by
Mr. Phang Kam Wah
Swiftlet Farm Consultant and Director of Nest Tech Equipment Technology

Website : www.nesttech.com.my

A : 1. As long as the provision of food chain is available in the particular area, it is possible
     2. With legal license of swiftlet ranching, equipped with necessary instrument, security and surveillance has contributed a systematic          approach of managing a successful swiftlet farming
     3. Trend of future swiftlet farming and strongly encouraged by government

A : Under normal circumstances, a conservative projection of ROI can be illustrated as follow (benchmark against oil palm industry) :

Oil Palm Industry versus Swiftlet Ranching Industry

A : No. Swiftlet ranching is neither mysterious nor complicated, but it is never an easy way to master it. Golden Swift Resources has published a book entitled “Swiftlet Birds Cultivation & 8 Essential Ways”, to illustrate the future of this promising industry, and the details of the necessary requirement for a successful venture.

A : This is a good question. Let’s explore the future market of edible-birdnest such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and other countries. China market itself has consumed almost 80% of the global supply of edible-birdnest in the 21st century. There are three major attributes that support this promising industry:

1. The standard of living nowadays has contributed to the desire of consuming good, natural and nutritious food like edible-birdnest
2. Awareness of healthcare and preventive care that has boosted the sales of edible-birdnest
3. Only limited countries or areas that can produce edible-birdnest, the opportunity to sell a globally consumed product that can only be found in     our part of the world – South East Asia.

Above questions are answered by
Mr. Joseph Tan
Managing Director of Golden Swift Resources Sdn Bhd
Chief Swiftlet Ranching Advisor in South East Asia
Author of the book entitled “Swiftlet Birds Cultivation & 8 Essential Ways”

Website : www.goldenswift2u.com