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Ref:472/02 |
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MALAYSIA
- Nov 8, 2002 |
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Malaysia
to stress on aquaculture sector |
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Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia will
step up efforts to develop the aquaculture sector to
diversify the country’s supply of protein-rich food, Deputy
Agriculture Minister Datuk Mohamad Shariff Omar said
Thursday.
He noted that Malaysia had abundant land which could be used
for aquaculture development.
The Government had identified 491,000 hectares of land which
was suitable for aquaculture activities.
“This is also in line with the National Agriculture Policy,
which emphasises modernisation of the agriculture sector,”
he told reporters after opening a seminar on aquaculture
research and development at Universiti Malaysia Sabah here.
“We cannot continue depending solely on marine landings for
protein supply. That is why we are now placing emphasis on
aquaculture sector development,” he said.
He also said the Government recently decided to open an
aquaculture industrial zone to facilitate its development.
The Federal Government would provide the infrastructure for
the setting up of this aquaculture industrial zone, while
the State Governments would be required to provide the land,
he said.
Mohamad Shariff also expressed hope that the private sector
would contribute towards the development of the aquaculture
sector which would benefit all, including consumers in the
form of ready supply of fresh water fish.-Bernama
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