PUTRAJAYA: The younger generation, especially those in rural areas in Sarawak is urged to explore the vast potential of inland freshwater fish farming, particularly species such as ‘empurau’ and ‘semah’.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the empurau fish is among the most expensive fish species in the country, which comes from rivers in the Kapit Division.
“This should be seen as a golden opportunity for the younger generation to venture into entrepreneurship, thereby boosting the income and socioeconomic status of the community,” he said.
Fadillah said this when receiving a courtesy call from Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (SABERKAS) Bukit Goram members who conducted a study tour to his ministry, which is the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) here on Friday (Aug 9).
He suggested that young people interested in freshwater fish farming could collaborate with or seek advice from experts in higher learning institutions regarding the latest techniques and technologies in freshwater fish farming.
“There is a market for it now, but how do we market it? If it’s fresh… a kilogramme of empurau in the peninsula can fetch up to RM1,000.
“There are four restaurants in the peninsula where people can buy, but the supply of fish is insufficient, and those who consume it are mainly from China where they are willing to pay up to RM2,000 to RM4,000 for just one meal of empurau,” he said.
In addition to inland freshwater fish farming, he said the community can also take advantage of the vast and largely unexplored land in the Kapit Division for commercial agriculture.
Fadillah also said for those who are interested in taking up this challenge, his Ministry could assist in providing renewable energy facilities.
