Mini dam for empurau breeding planned for Bukit Goram

KAPIT (Aug 10): A mini dam project at Sungai Suong, in Bukit Goram near here, has been proposed to further develop ‘empurau’ breeding.

In stating this, Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat says this plan would involve assistance from the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) and also the Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant for Bukit Goram constituency, where he is the assemblyman.

Empurau is among the highly-prized freshwater fish species in Sarawak, which can fetch a selling price of up to hundreds of ringgit per kilogramme.

“An adult empurau, averaging about 3kg in weight, can command the price of more than RM800 per kilogramme.

“After the briefing by the Land and Survey Department, the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and the Agriculture Department, indeed this place (Bukit Goram) is suitable for empurau breeding.

“I am getting the relevant departments to assist in the plan; do it properly, and this can be developed into an agro-tourism product,” he said when met after visiting an empurau-breeding farm at Jalan Ulu Yong in Bukit Goram here yesterday.

Owned and operated by Nyalu Kong Nalong since 2022, the farm houses the empurau obtained from Baleh River. Moreover, it also has ‘labang’ (iridescent shark catfish), ‘jelawat’ (Sultan Fish) and tilapia species.

Jamit added: “We, the YBs (elected people’s representatives) – myself, (Works Minister and Kapit MP) Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, and Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan – are planning for the setting-up of a mini dam to block Sungai Suong and create a reservoir, suitable for the breeding of empurau.

“In this regard, we would help through Urda’s socio-economic programme for agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

“Apart from Urda funding, I would also allocate MRP fund of RM10,000 meant for improvement works on the access road linking Jalan Ulu Yong and here (empurau farm).

“In this respect, I call upon the Agriculture Department to facilitate the works on this 400m farm road.”

Jamit added that in Kapit, there were other viable socio-agro-economic activities being run including the ‘kelulut’ (stingless bee) and honey farming, duck-rearing, salted fish production, and breeding of piglets.

“It is my desire to encourage our local entrepreneurs to venture into agro-economy by utilising their land for commercial activities to generate income.

“My advice is for them to be committed to their projects.”

Meanwhile, Nyalu Kong said his 14-acre land had Sungai Suong flowing across it. I am very happy to hear about the mini dam proposal.

“For now, my farm has some 40 mature empurau, with the biggest one weighing 6.2kg. These empurau species are the prized ‘white breed’ from the Baleh River. My supplies of tilapia and ‘jelawat’ come from the Fisheries Department.

“I also rear geese, ‘ayam kampung’ (free-range chickens) and ducks, plus I have planted 200 ‘Durian Nyekak’ (Mountain Durian) trees, and 300 ‘dabai’ (local olive) saplings,” said the farmer.