AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
September-October. 2025 | @ AGROBiz
AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY
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NEKMAT expands to shrimp farming
• NEKMAT’ s growth aligns with Malaysia’ s push for agrofood sector resilience.
• The initiative also uplifts coastal communities by creating better income opportunities for small-scale fishermen.
• Over four MADANI villages in Tasek Gelugor were selected for targeted agricultural and livestock projects.
STRENGTHENING LIVELIHOODS: NEKMAT’ s aquaculture projects aim to provide income and stability for fishing communities.
WHITE shrimp farming has become the latest addition to the National Fishermen’ s Association( NEKMAT) aquaculture operations in Badong, Pekan, Pahang, expanding beyond grouper fish in order to diversify production and strengthen the nation’ s food security.
The new farming activity, which was developed with an investment of RM3 million in collaboration with the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority( LKIM), was launched this year and has already begun harvesting its first yields.
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Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who attended the first shrimp harvest, said the venture will not only strengthen Malaysia’ s aquaculture sector but also provide job prospects for local communities.
He said:“ We hope residents will be given priority to work here, while also gaining skills and exposure in aquaculture. The project is expected to deliver returns on investment within five years, but we hope this can be achieved sooner.”
AQUACULTURE EXPANSION
Mohamad also pointed out that the country’ s reliance on aquaculture
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has increased as coastal fishing zones shrink due to reclamation and development.
Malaysia’ s fish self-sufficiency ratio( SSR) now exceeds 90 per cent, thanks in large part to aquaculture, but he stressed that further expansion is necessary.
“ However, this needs to be expanded further as fish catches along the west coast are declining due to land reclamation and other development projects. We will prioritise aquaculture in areas where fishermen face difficulties going to sea, such as Perlis, Penang, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.
While they continue fishing, we also want to encourage them to take
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part in aquaculture programmes,” he mentioned.
According to NEKMAT General Manager Azrin Shah Ismail, the Badong site had previously focused on grouper farming but was diversified in May with the establishment of four shrimp ponds.
Since then, 18 tonnes of white shrimp have been harvested, sold to wholesalers and local consumers between RM12 and RM28 per kilogramme.
NEKMAT now aims to scale up production significantly by adding 10 more ponds, with a target of 120,000 kilogrammes annually, estimated to generate sales worth RM3 million.
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Boosting agro in villages
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security( MAFS) has committed RM2.138 million to strengthen agricultural and livestock initiatives across four MADANI adopted villages in Tasek Gelugor, Pulau Penang.
The villages – Kampung Guar Petai, Kampung Labuh Banting, Kampung Tok Jawa and Kampung Baru – will benefit from projects covering 112.3 hectares of land. Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the allocation sets aside RM1.878 million for croprelated programmes and RM260,514 for livestock development.
“ Usually, one ministry has one MADANI Adopted Village, but MAFS has four villages here to be developed, and the allocation involves RM1.878 million for the agriculture sector and RM260,514 for the livestock farming sector,” he mentioned.
The announcement followed the launch of the Kampung Guar Petai Agricultural Sector Empowerment
Programme, which took place at the Kampung Labuh Banting Flood Relief Centre.
DRIVING A RURAL ECONOMY
Among the works planned are the maintenance of 20,000 metres of drainage ditches, land liming and levelling of 150 hectares, as well as the introduction of modern machinery, including tractors and drones.
Assistance will also be given to combat‘ keladi agas’, a fast-spreading weed threatening paddy yields.
Mohamad explained that the villages were chosen as part of his personal commitment to the community where he was born and raised. The projects, he said, will enhance irrigation, reduce crop losses due to pests and weeds, and improve productivity through modern mechanisation.
He said:“ For the livestock subsector, a total of 10 breeders have also received assistance for farm infrastructure, livestock breeds,
DRIVING AGRO-DEVELOPMENT: Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu launching the Kampung Guar Petai Agricultural Sector Empowerment Programme in Tasek Gelugor.
machinery, equipment and livestock feed with an allocation of RM260,514, thus reducing operating costs and increasing competitiveness.”
He also highlighted downstream support for entrepreneurs, citing the Ayunis Enterprise Project, which produces‘ maruku’ with annual sales of RM2.5 million, and the‘ Dodol Dapur Kayu’ venture that preserves traditional recipes with sales of about RM100,000 a year.
Mohamad stressed that these efforts reflect the MADANI government’ s push to reinforce agriculture in Penang and ensure food security. He urged more young people to embrace the agro-food sector by utilising IoT, AI, automation, and other innovative technologies.
“ Digitalisation and modernisation will boost the country’ s agro-food sector to become more competitive, effective and resilient.
“ Such efforts will not only ensure the country’ s food security, but also provide lucrative returns for the targeted groups and strengthen their socio-economy,” Mohamad added.- @ AGROBiz