Aquaculture Industry Production Almost Surpasses Rm4 Bln In 2023

KUALA SELANGOR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The national aquaculture industry successfully recorded approximately 492,680 metric tonnes of production worth RM3.9 billion last year, said Department of Fisheries (DOF) director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain.

He said DOF is also working towards increasing the contribution of the national aquaculture sector by focusing on the farming of Tilapia Gift, Tilapia Merah, Ikan Susu, Keli, Siakap, Patin, Lampam, Kelah, Udang Putih and Udang Harimau.

"At the exhibition under the aquaculture segment of Central Zone MADANI Rakyat programme, the Department of Fisheries showcased species such as udang harimau, udang putih, ikan kelah and lampam that adopted biofloc technology and Good Agricultural Practices (myGAP) in the fisheries sector.

"This exhibition is also expected to attract the interest of investors or target groups in the aquaculture industry through assistance schemes for aquaculture inputs, biosecurity, biofloc technology for freshwater and marine aquaculture, as well as the needs and interests of myGAP," he told Bernama here today.

Adnan added that throughout this programme, visitors can see the ikan kelah and prawns upclose and obtain information regarding the aquaculture farming industry to achieve higher quality results.

He said this exhibition also introduces biofloc technology, which is an aquaculture system that recycles nutrient waste as fish food.

"Through this technology, it will facilitate farmers in controlling water quality and disease outbreaks and subsequently, entrepreneurs will be able to increase their aquaculture yields.

"Furthermore, this technology can also enhance shrimp farming yields by using water treatment additives containing enzymes, microbes, minerals and amino acids," he said.

In addition, Adnan also said that DOF aims to achieve a total of 500,000 metric tonnes for aquaculture production with an average income of RM3,800 per month for aquaculture farmers by 2024.

The three-day programme which ends tomorrow, starting from 9 am to 10 pm, focuses on activities related to agriculture and food security, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the wellbeing of the people, besides various services provided by federal government agencies and the Selangor government in particular.

The closing ceremony of the Central Zone MADANI Rakyat programme will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow and is expected to be attended by the top leadership of the federal and state governments.

-- BERNAMA