GLOBAL MODELS OF RUMINANT INDUSTRY GOVERNANCE: LESSONS FOR MALAYSIA’S BEEF AND DAIRY SECTOR

Abstract

Malaysia's ruminant sector faces structural challenges including low productivity, weak value chains, and fragmented institutional support. With increasing demand for meat and dairy products, a sustainable development model is crucial. This study investigates how Australia’s Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and other international livestock organizations manage funding, innovation, and traceability through statutory levies. Using a qualitative case study method and comparative analysis, this paper proposes a hybrid Malaysian Ruminant Industry Corporation (MRIC) that integrates global best practices tailored to Malaysia’s context. The proposed MRIC combines elements from MLA, Ireland's ICBF, and India’s NDDB to create an inclusive, efficient and market-driven system. This institutional synthesis illustrates how developing economies can overcome the constraints of single-model adoption by strategically integrating complementary governance mechanisms to address context-specific challenges and utilizing universal principles of effective livestock industry coordination