MUKIM DUSUN JPKKP AIMS TO BREED OVER 100,000 CATFISH FRIES NEXT YEAR

By Mohd Noor Iqram Rosli

KOTA BHARU, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The Federal Village Development and Security Committee  (JPKKP) of Mukim Dusun here aims to breed over 100,000 catfish (ikan keli) fries next year to generate additional income as well as grow the economy of local residents.

Its chairman, Datin Norizam Ibrahim said the catfish cage farming project, which began in August, was through the implementation of the Sejahtera Komuniti Madani (SejaTi Madani) programme involving 16 participants from the respective mukims.

She said currently 80,000 catfish fries have been placed in 16 cage sections with each cage measuring 10 feet (3.05 metres) in length and width.

"Alhamdulillah, this project has produced quite good results, especially for the participants, as they not only gained knowledge and skills in catfish farming but also generated additional income by selling the produce at markets and Rahmah Sales programmes around Kota Bharu," she told Bernama in Mukim Dusun here today.

"We see that the farming of catfish seems easy but actually, there is a method to it besides just feeding. For example, when they reach two or three weeks of age, we will separate the larger and smaller sizes to ensure the fish can reach the desired weight.”

Project supervisor Azizil Azhar Abdullah said each participant also received guidance in livestock management and promoting sales to penetrate the local market.

“We are indeed overwhelmed with the demand for cage catfish farming due to high market demand (for catfish), and to address this issue, we plan to increase the number of cage sections so that more catfish can be produced in the future," he said.

"The only problem we have now is the animal attack, namely otters, which often disturb the habitat of the catfish in the cages, causing some to die and resulting in losses for us," he added.

Meanwhile, participant Mohd Hassin Che Kar, 57, said the project undertaken by the government has greatly benefitted participants to generate income as well as helped in the development the local economy.

"I feel this programme should be continued and expanded to other areas so that the local communities can not only learn about animal husbandry and similar skills, but also utilise their free time and wisely use the economic opportunities provided by the government to change their own and their family's fortunes," he added.

-- BERNAMA