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For 15 years, he safeguarded Malaysia's waters.
Today, this former Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) officer is serving the country in a different way — by helping strengthen its food security through sheep farming.
After leaving the military in 2024 due to health reasons, 35-year-old Mohamed Adib Abdul Razak ventured into livestock farming despite having no prior experience in the industry.
Speaking to Bernama about his dramatic career change, Adib said he took early retirement after being diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss, which left him medically unfit to continue serving as an Air Tactical Officer.
"Leaving the military was one of the hardest decisions of my life because becoming a military officer had always been my dream. However, military life teaches you to adapt to any situation. I chose to see it as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the end," he said.
After retiring, Adib found himself wondering how he could continue contributing to the country.
"That question eventually led me to focus fully on agriculture and livestock farming. In the past, I safeguarded the nation's defence. Today, I'm helping strengthen its food security," he told Harian Metro.
Now affectionately known as "Commander Birri" — a play on biri-biri, the Malay word for sheep — Adib runs a 2.4-hectare farm in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan
Although he had no formal farming background, agriculture had long been an interest of his. While still serving in the navy, he had already begun experimenting with small-scale farming.
The Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia graduate said he applied the discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking he learnt in the military to his new venture, while learning everything else through trial and error.
"There are no shortcuts in this business. Knowledge from books is important, but nothing compares with hands-on experience," he said.
That journey led him to establish Argrow Farm and Berek Birri under his company, Afdal Rezeki Sdn Bhd.
Starting with just 10 sheep, Adib has grown the business to more than 150 sheep in just two years. Besides his main farm in Kuala Pilah, he has also expanded with a 0.4-hectare Berek Birri branch in Batu Pahat, Johor.
Beyond livestock farming, his business has also since expanded into producing halal, ready-to-eat meals
"As the business grew, I realised the livestock industry couldn't rely solely on selling animals. That's why Argrow expanded downstream through Argrow Food Industries.
"To me, the true value of this industry lies in building the entire supply chain — from the farm to value-added food products with broader market potential," he said.
The company now produces ready-to-eat meals such as Birriyani Lamb Shank and Birri Fried Rice, as well as beverages under the BirriKool brand, contributing to annual sales of up to RM750,000.
Adib has also developed MyBirri, a digital livestock platform that allows people to own and invest in Dorper sheep — a breed prized for its rapid growth, high-quality meat, and commercial value — without having to manage a farm themselves.
"My goal is not merely to rear sheep, but to build a modern, transparent, and sustainable ecosystem," he said.
Over the next five years, Adib plans to establish more Berek Birri hubs across the country while transforming his farms into agrotourism and agricultural education destinations
He hopes these efforts will raise awareness about the importance of food security and sustainable local production, and inspire more young Malaysians to venture into agriculture.
According to Adib, modern farming is no longer just about working the land. It now involves technology, automation, data, product development, and digital marketing, making it an increasingly attractive career for younger generations.
"The reality is that the food industry is one of the most important sectors for any nation's survival. No matter how advanced technology becomes, people will always need food every day.
"Young people should recognise the enormous potential this industry offers, not only as a professional career but also as a platform for building sustainable businesses," he said.
