Terengganu Agrotech Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (TADC) informed that under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER)’s thrust to promote aquaculture in Lake Kenyir they are making all efforts to improve fish farming in the area so that the production would reach 2,000 metric tonnes per annum by the year-end.
Adnan Ghazali, TADC executive director, said this is achievable by getting the involvement of more entrepreneurs in the lake’s aquaculture programme. He added that on average a fish cage can produce about one metric tonne of fish which depends on the fish species. As the government has given TADC the task to increase the fish production in Lake Kenyir, it is aiming for about 2,000 fish cages by year-end.
In a statement from the ECER secretariat it was said that the project is geared towards creating new entrepreneurs as well as improving the income of the poor. According to Adnan over the next three years, TADC has plans for 300 people, including entrepreneurs, to be involved in the Lake Kenyir aquaculture project.
Adnan further adds that through this initiative, it will be able to meet the ECER target to boost fish production up to 6,000 metric tonnes per year in the next three years. Increase in production means rise in export of fish products to nations like Singapore, Hong Kong and those in Europe, says Adnan.
Adnan told that TADC is looking at farming at more exotic and highly prized fish in near future that can fetch higher prices. He informed that participants in the Lake Kenyir aquaculture project do not have to worry about marketing their fish as this will be carried out by the TADC.
