Melaka Identifies Abandoned Government Land For Aquaculture Projects

JASIN, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government has identified several areas of abandoned government-owned land to be developed as aquaculture project sites to help fishermen increase their sources of income and strengthen the state's food security.

State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Exco Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the initiative is part of efforts to expand the aquaculture sector as a new economic avenue for fishing communities affected by dwindling marine catches and ongoing land reclamation projects.

“We will not allow our fishermen to lose their livelihoods. The state government will make full use of idle government land to establish aquaculture projects that can provide them with a sustainable and steady income,” he told reporters in Kampung Sebatu, Sungai Rambai, here today.

He said the project will focus on three main areas, namely Melaka Barat, Jasin and Melaka Tengah, with development plans tailored to each location’s suitability and potential.

Earlier, he officiated the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority’s  (LKIM) Phase II Prawn Breeding Project. Also present was LKIM Director General Hamdan Mamat

Commenting further, Muhammad Akmal said the aquaculture project in West Melaka will be developed near the existing jetty, while in Jasin, the project has already begun and will be further expanded.

In Central Melaka, several unused government-owned lands will be reclaimed and handed over to fishermen’s associations for development under the initiative.

"We want fishermen to continue to earn a stable income, at least RM3,000 a month, even though their marine catch is decreasing,  through projects like this,” he added.

He also called on all fishermen to register with their respective associations to enable data to be coordinated and government assistance can be channelled systematically and comprehensively.

Meanwhile, he said one million white shrimp seeds were released at the project site, which was implemented through the shrimp farming empowerment project, involving an allocation of RM350,000, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM).

-- BERNAMA