BINTULU: 60 participants from all over Sarawak took part in the Freshwater Fish Production Technique Course and in Freshwater Fish (Raised in Cages and in Ponds) Management Course both of which were organised on-campus by the University Agriculture Park (TPU) Division of University Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) last weekend.

UPMKB Director of TPU and Development Dr Ong Kian Huat said the course was part of a series of training courses planned by TPU this year as part of the University4Society programme.

TPU chief Mr. Nalong Buda said the course was aimed at responding to the government's commitment to enhance the development of the agricultural industry in Malaysia, especially in Sarawak, by enhancing the skills of farmers in the methods of good agriculture practices for viable project implementation and to transfer the latest technology to farmers to increase productivity and quality of agriculture produce.

In addition, he said the courses also aspire to impart entrepreneurial traits to participants in order for them to become successful agripreneurs.

Course organizer Carlina Freddie Simol@Rachellynna said the courses proved to be beneficial to participants by first taking on a theoretical understanding of feeding and health management of freshwater fish raised in ponds and in cages.

She went on to explain that the courses also provided practical exposure to a freshwater breeding techniques namely hormone-induced spawning (injection of sex-stimulating hormone to adult fish), egg fertilisation process, and preparation of hatching tanks. The courses have also promoted the farming of a local catfish species (Clarias nieuhofii) as a suitable alternative to the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and provided critical information on larval-stage management of the fish (feeding and water quality) after hatching. Special attention was also given to formulating the feed for the larval-stage fish and to building the proper cage for freshwater fish farming.

An organising committee member, Dexter Elvin Menari said the course incorporated lectures and practical hands-on activities conducted by UPMKB academic staff Dr Mohamad Faizul Mat Isa and assisted by an experienced field practitioner Mr Lirong Yu Abit.

Date of Input: 04/03/2020 | Updated: 12/03/2020 | lanz