Agricop programme aims to enhance awareness

BALINGIAN: Sungai Balingian has been selected as the primary site for the release of approximately 10,000 Lampam fry and 2,900 Jelawat fry.

Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi was present to release the fry during the 2024 Balingian Constituency Agricop Programme here, yesterday (July 15).

In his speech, he said that the programme aims to educate and raise awareness among fishermen about the planned management of fishery resources.

“According to records from the Department of Agriculture Sarawak, only 55 residents in the Balingian area hold inland fishery licenses.

“Thus, residents are encouraged to apply for these licences to facilitate assistance applications and expand the marketing of their aquaculture products,” he said.

He added that the applications for the Inland Fisheries Scheme (aquaculture) under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) in Balingian remained low, with only three recipients.

“This is due to the lack of applications from local residents,” he said.

Abdul Yakub also hoped that through the programme, it could provide new input and useful information to all participants.

“I would like to call for greater cooperation among all parties to advance the agricultural sector in the Balingian,” he said.