Sarawak aims wider fish exports through aquaculture

BINTULU: Sarawak sees further potential to expand its fish exports as growing shipments to Singapore signal opportunities for the state’s aquaculture sector.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said fish exports from Batang Ai to Singapore have increased, indicating an existing overseas market for locally farmed fish.

He said Sarawak could capitalise on such demand by expanding aquaculture while integrating fish farming with other agricultural activities.

“The volume of fish we export from Batang Ai to Singapore has increased. This means there is a market outside Sarawak and Malaysia that wants the fish we can farm.

“When we open up paddy areas, perhaps we can also farm fish nearby because these areas require water.

“We can design the paddy areas with some space for fish farming, so that the people can earn two sources of income,” he said.

He said this when officiating at Sarawak Agrofest 2026 at Lapangan Terbang Lama Bintulu here today (Sept 28).

Abang Johari said such an approach would allow water used for paddy cultivation to also support aquaculture through an integrated water circulation system.

He said agricultural areas could be designed to accommodate different activities within the same site, allowing farmers to diversify production and generate additional income.

He recalled a villager in the Saribas area proposing duck farming alongside perennial rice cultivation, as ducks could feed on pests that might otherwise affect the crop.

“So I told him, ‘That’s a good idea, give it a try.’ And he then said that if the ducks produce eggs, there could also be an opportunity to make salted duck eggs.

“There are all sorts of ideas. If we give our people room to think, they can come up with ideas and increase their returns as we transform our agricultural sector.

“We should not take our people for granted. They are capable, even more so with university graduates among the younger generation,” he said.

He also pointed to an aquaculture trial in Betong involving Australian cod, which is intended for the domestic and Singapore markets.

“A few days ago, I was in Betong, where they are trying to farm cod from Australia.

“They want to farm the fish for the domestic market as well as Singapore,” he said.

Abang Johari said such diversification forms part of Sarawak’s longer-term efforts to broaden its economic base, including through the agriculture and food sectors.