KUCHING: Sarawak is getting ready to produce a minimum of 150,000 tilapia fish fry in the Batang Ai region each month, beginning October to boost the local economy and increase the output of homegrown products.
This initiative was unveiled by Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Ismail, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Food Commodity Industry and Sarawak Regional Development (MFICORD), as well as the chairman of the Sarawak State Farmers Association (PPNS).
He described this endeavour as one of six collaborative ventures involving PPNS and various companies.
“Currently, the ministry is actively engaged in discussions with distributors from Japan and China to expand the market for Sarawak’s tilapia.
“Broader marketing efforts are poised to propel the Sarawak tilapia industry to new heights,” Abdul Rahman said.
He said this at a dinner held in conjunction with the 38th annual general meeting of PPNS. The event was officiated by MFICORD Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Atom and took place at Hotel UCSI in Kuching yesterday (Sept 19).
Abdul Rahman acknowledged that tilapia fry production posed a significant challenge to local breeders, who had struggled to find viable methods for achieving this task.
“However, now we have mastered the techniques to produce tilapia, and starting this October, we will produce a minimum of 150,000 fry every month. In the coming year, we will further increase this number.”
“In supporting local tilapia breeders, a pilot project aimed at providing essential services to selected small-scale tilapia breeders in Batang Ai has been launched.
“The project will include the supply of fry and fish feed, with a commitment to purchase the tilapia produced by these breeders. This initiative is part of PPNS’ broader involvement in marketing the fish, addressing previous challenges faced by companies in this regard,” he added.
In a related development, he said PPNS has embarked on various collaborative ventures which include shrimp farming in Loba-Stoh Rambungan, Kuching; pineapple cultivation of ‘Sarawak Gold (SG1)’ in Miri; buffalo farming and cheese production in Maragang, Lawas; and the management of the Collection, Processing, and Packaging Centre (CPPC) in Limbang and Lawas. There are also plans for shallot cultivation in Tarat.
