HPPNK 2025: Bajau Ponies Centrepiece Of DVS Exhibition Area

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Kuda Padi Sabah, also known as Bajau Ponies, specially brought in from Tuaran and Kota Belud, have grabbed the attention of visitors at the Department of Veterinary Services’ (DVS) exhibition area, held as part of the activities of the three-day National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK) 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today. 

A small horse breed that is docile, hardy and easily trained, the Bajau Pony is synonymous with the Samah Bajau, one of the largest ethnic groups in Sabah, and is usually decorated with colourful woven cloth and beads, along with various tribal accessories.

Sabah DVS chief assistant director (planning, research and innovation section) Dr Lorren Adam said that they decided to introduce something different at this year’s HPPNK by bringing in some Bajau Ponies for the exhibition area as a ‘wow’ element to offer a different experience to visitors.

“We haven’t brought horses previously, but this time we did. Two Bajau Ponies specially from Kota Belud and Tuaran. It can be said that the species is becoming extinct but there are individuals who take the initiative to preserve this species.

“In addition to the ponies, DVS is also highlighting the uniqueness and potential of the agriculture sector in Sabah, such as ruminant breeding, animal health and pets,” she told Bernama today, adding that visitors would also have the chance to look at several other breeds of livestock, such as the white buffalo, Boer and Kalahari goats, ducks and four species of rabbits.

Lorren explained that the white buffalo was rarely seen by the public, so the DVS decided to showcase this breed to expose visitors through briefings prepared in the exhibition area, and other activities there include farm-to-table foods like roasted duck and fried quail along with lucky draws offering a main prize of a pair of Boer goats.

She also expressed satisfaction about the first day turnout, describing it as very encouraging and that they expect more visitors in the next two days as the two-day pedigree cat competition at the Purrfection Cat Expo DVS would begin tomorrow.

Expected to be a crowdpuller, the contest has two categories, adult and kitten, and is further divided into short hair and long hair breeds, she said, adding that over 60 participants have signed up for the contest so far, out of an estimated 200 participants.

Besides this, cat lovers can get free health checkups for their pet cats at the expo area, she shared.

The DVS is also holding a static exhibition on Animal Welfare and MyFeed, an app developed by the department to assist breeders to plan a balanced daily feed regimen for ruminant livestock.

The DVS exhibition area and booth are located under the ‘Cukup dan Terjamin’ segment, and are open from today till Sunday, 8 am to 10 pm.

-- BERNAMA