JERTIH, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- The Fish Collection, Processing, Storage and Distribution Hub (HPPPP) for the East Coast Region, which was launched today, aims to shorten the seafood marketing chain, thereby reducing dependence on middlemen and stabilising fish prices in the market.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said project, built on a site measuring more than 9,600 square feet at a cost of RM5.81 million under the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN), has been operational since January last year.
“With the availability of a Cold Room with a capacity of 300 metric tonnes (MT) and blast freezer facilities, we now have the capability to store and process fish on a large scale. This HPPPP acts as a ‘shield’ for fishermen and consumers.
“Through its large storage capacity, we are able to manage surplus seafood more systematically, ensure the freshness of fish is maintained, and guarantee that the nation’s protein supply remains sufficient, especially during the monsoon season,” he said at the Sentuhan AgroMADANI and Iftar with Kuala Besut Fishermen programmes here today.
He added that a robust storage and logistics system must be established to ensure that excess seafood is not wasted, but instead properly stored for use by the public when supplies are limited.
“Through the HPPPP, we aim to shorten the marketing chain. We want fish to move directly from the complex to the hub and straight to consumers, while reducing the involvement of ‘middlemen’ who sometimes suppress prices paid to fishermen but sell at higher prices to the public.
“This hub will help ensure more stable fish prices and larger profit margins for fishermen. This is what we call the MADANI economy - an economy that delivers fairness to both producers and consumers,” he said.
At the event, Mohamad also officiated the Phase 3 Ice Plant of the Besut Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK), a RM2.5 million investment.
Operational since early January, the new plant boosts production by 50 tonnes per day, raising PNK Besut’s total capacity to 103 tonnes daily - crucial to meet demand in Kuala Besut, which reaches up to 100,000 blocks of ice annually.
He said new phase ensures that the quality of fishermen’s catch is kept at an optimum quality before being distributed nationwide.
Meanwhile, PNK Besut chairman Tengku Harun Tengku Ismail said the opening of the hub is expected to address the drop in fish prices during periods of oversupply in the market.
“Typically, after the monsoon season ends in March, the volume of fish caught by local fishermen increases sharply, forcing them to sell their catch at lower prices, even though retail prices do not change significantly.
“It is hoped that this hub will be able to purchase the excess fish caught by fishermen, thereby resolving the issue of oversupply and ensuring more stable fish prices,” he said, adding that about 1,000 fishermen under PNK Besut are actively fishing.
-- BERNAMA
