From navy lieutenant to sheep farmer, Adib finds a new mission

KUALA LUMPUR: Leaving the Royal Malaysian Navy was never part of Adib Abdul Razak’s plan. For 15 years, he served the nation, spending time aboard naval vessels before moving into aviation and management roles.

But in 2024, health issues forced him to step away from a career he loved. Faced with an unexpected new chapter, the former lieutenant found himself in unfamiliar territory: sheep farming.

Today, the 35-year-old father of two runs a growing livestock business in Johol, Negeri Sembilan, driven by a belief that food security is just as important to a nation’s resilience as defence.

“During my time in the military, I realised something important: a country may have a strong defence system, but without a stable and secure food supply, it remains vulnerable,” he told Bernama.

Adib established Argrow Farm and the Berek Birri brand in 2024. “Berek Birri” combining the Malay word for barracks – reflecting his military background – with his new life in livestock farming.

Adib, who started out with just five Black Head Dorper sheep, had no prior experience in farming. Yet skills developed during his military career – such as leadership, resilience and strategic planning – proved invaluable as he taught himself the ins and outs of modern livestock management.

Within two years, the operation grew to 134 sheep on a 2.4-ha farm in Johol, while a second Berek Birri branch was established in Batu Pahat.

As the business expanded, Adib began exploring downstream products through Argrow Food Industries. Today, the company produces ready-to-eat meals such as BirriYani Birri, Nasi Goreng Birri, and BirriYani Lambshank, alongside Birri Kool beverages and Baja Birri organic fertiliser.

“To me, the true value of this industry lies in our ability to build the entire supply chain, from farm to finished food products,” Adib said.

Demand for the products has been encouraging, with annual sales reaching about RM750,000.

Still, Adib admits the transition from military life to entrepreneurship was challenging. “I had to start from scratch, learning to understand farm operations, financial management and marketing, and face the real challenges on the ground,” he recalled.

Indeed, livestock farming requires significant capital, and comes with risks ranging from disease outbreaks to fluctuating market conditions.

But the military taught him that every challenge can be managed through preparation, planning and adaptability.

Looking ahead, Adib hopes to establish Berek Birri and Berek Lembu hubs in several states over the next five years.

He also plans to develop his farm into an agro-education and agro-tourism destination, helping Malaysians better understand where their food comes from.

At the same time, he hopes to change perceptions of agriculture among younger people. Many still view farming as dirty or old-fashioned, he said, despite the growing role of technology, automation and digital tools in modern agriculture.

“No matter how advanced technology becomes, humans will always need food every day,” he stressed. “Young people need to see this field as a sector with great potential for professional careers and sustainable business growth.”

Learn more about Argrow Farm here, and on Facebook and Instagram.