Developing sustainable premium beef production through local innovation: A conceptual study of MyGYU
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55573/IJAFB.117001Keywords:
Local Innovation, Premium Beef, Sustainable Production, Economic Sustainability, Food SecurityAbstract
The beef industry in Malaysia is hindered by continued import dependence, production constraints and growing demand for differentiated meat products. The home-grown premium beef initiative MyGyu offers a valuable case for exploring how innovation could help domestic value creation. This is a conceptual paper that proposes a framework for linking local innovation to sustainable premium beef production in Malaysia. Recent literature on agricultural innovation, precision livestock farming, sustainable production and food value chains is the basis for conceptualising local innovation as production technology, product development and supply-chain innovation. Sustainable production means economic, environmental and social dimensions. Three theoretical propositions argue that local innovation can contribute to profitability and domestic value creation, more efficient resource management, and inclusive industry participation. Local production alone does not dictate environmental superiority, food affordability or commercial viability. These outcomes must be measured and tested empirically. The paper presents an integrated conceptual basis to evaluate MyGyu beyond its substitute to imported premium beef. It also highlights priorities for producers and policy makers, such as quality assurance, traceability, farm-level performance assessment and industry-research collaboration.
Downloads
References
Bretas, I. L., Dubeux, J. C. B., Cruz, P. J. R., Oduor, K. T., Queiroz, L. D., Valente, D. S. M., & Chizzotti, F. H. M. (2024). Precision livestock farming applied to grazingland monitoring and management—A review. Agronomy Journal, 116, 1164–1186. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21346
Eastwood, C. R., Edwards, J. P., & Turner, J. A. (2021). Review: Anticipating alternative trajectories for responsible Agriculture 4.0 innovation in livestock systems. Animal, 15, Article 100296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100296
Losacco, C., Pugliese, G., Forte, L., Tufarelli, V., Maggiolino, A., & De Palo, P. (2025). Digital transition as a driver for sustainable tailor-made farm management: An up-to-date overview on precision livestock farming. Agriculture, 15(13), Article 1383. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131383
Marchegiani, S., Gislon, G., Marino, R., Caroprese, M., Albenzio, M., Pinchak, W. E., Carstens, G. E., Ledda, L., Trombetta, M. F., Sandrucci, A., Pasquini, M., Deligios, P. A., & Ceccobelli, S. (2025). Smart technologies for sustainable pasture-based ruminant systems: A review. Smart Agricultural Technology, 10, Article 100789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2025.100789
McNicol, L. C., Bowen, J. M., Ferguson, H. J., Bell, J., Dewhurst, R. J., & Duthie, C.-A. (2024). Adoption of precision livestock farming technologies has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from beef production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, Article 1414858. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1414858
Neculai-Valeanu, A.-S., Sanduleanu, C., & Porosnicu, I. (2025). From tradition to precision: Leveraging digital tools to improve cattle health and welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, Article 1549512. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1549512
Papakonstantinou, G. I., Voulgarakis, N., Terzidou, G., Fotos, L., Giamouri, E., & Papatsiros, V. G. (2024). Precision livestock farming technology: Applications and challenges of animal welfare and climate change. Agriculture, 14(4), Article 620. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040620
Pelton, R. E. O., Kazanski, C. E., Keerthi, S., Racette, K. A., Gennet, S., Springer, N., Yacobson, E., Wironen, M., Ray, D., Johnson, K., & Schmitt, J. (2024). Greenhouse gas emissions in US beef production can be reduced by up to 30% with the adoption of selected mitigation measures. Nature Food, 5(9), 787–797. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01031-9
Perrin, A., Yannou-Le Bris, G., Angevin, F., & Pénicaud, C. (2023). Sustainability assessment in innovation design processes: Place, role, and conditions of use in agrifood systems. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 43, Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-022-00860-x
Tran, D., Schouteten, J. J., Gellynck, X., & De Steur, H. (2024). How do consumers value food traceability? A meta-analysis. Food Control, Article 110453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110453
Gresse, A. U., & van Marle-Köster, E. (2026). Precision livestock farming technologies to support sustainable beef cattle production: A South African perspective. South African Journal of Animal Science, 56(6), 226–240. https://doi.org/10.17159/sajas.v56i06.01
Jin, S., Matsuoka, Y., Yue, M., Jones, G., & Frewer, L. J. (2024). Does information about environmental considerations affect Chinese and UK consumers’ purchase intentions for traced foods? A path analysis. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26, 32287–32318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05097-0
Nugrahaeningtyas, E., Lee, J.-S., & Park, K.-H. (2024). Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock: Sources, estimation, and mitigation. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 66(6), 1083–1098. https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2024.e86
Wongpiyabovorn, O., Wang, T., Menendez, H., & Yago, A. L. (2025). Precision livestock farming technologies in beef cattle production: Current and future. Choices, 40(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.358371
